Suryakumar Yadav's place in Indian team insecure? New Indian batting coach reveals secret details

Team India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has opened up about skipper Suryakumar Yadav's form ahead of the third T20I match against England.

Sitanshu Kotak said that expectations of Suryakumar Yadav should be realistic, saying that he is playing selfless cricket that India has adopted in the T20Is.

Suryakumar has struggled with the bat in the first two matches of the T20I series against England. He was dismissed for a duck in the first match at Eden Gardens and managed 17 runs off 7 balls in the second match in Chennai. The Indian team has been winning despite these underwhelming performances.

I Think Suryakumar Yadav Is Performing - Sitanshu Kotak

Addressing reporters on the eve of the third T20I, Sitanshu Kotak defended Suryakumar Yadav’s performance, adding that the fearless approach adopted by India in T20Is doesn't always guarantee big scores. Kotak said that Suryakumar will have good and bad games as part of his selfless approach.

"Surya, I think he is performing, but sometimes I feel we also expect a lot. Every game, if we think Surya will perform (that is not okay). The game has become so aggressive, there is so much intent we have to play in the T20s, there will be a time when they get out because they are playing fearless (cricket)," Kotak said in the pre-match press conference.

He Plays a Brand of Cricket for the Team That Is Very, Very Selfless - Sitanshu Kotak

Kotak said that India's aggressive batting approach requires players to take risks rather than focusing on protecting their wickets. He emphasized that Suryakumar set an example for his teammates by playing a selfless brand of cricket.

"Because if you want to score 200-225, you cannot play cricket where you are trying to save your wickets. Both things do not go hand in hand. He plays a brand of cricket for the team which is very, very selfless, and that is what he tells the batters as well. There are games he will perform, and there are games where he will not," Kotak added.

"He Has Been Batting with the Same Flow" - Sitanshu Kotak

Sitanshu Kotak said that a big knock from Suryakumar Yadav is around the corner. He added that Surya has been maintaining his natural batting flow.

"I think that he has been batting with the same flow, I would not say there is any change really. But plan-wise, opposition sides will bowl in areas (to target him), but he is very smart and will read that, and practice according to that. I think, touchwood (he would score) in this game," he added.

Suryakumar Yadav, who has been a key figure for India in T20Is, scored 1164 runs in 2022 and 733 runs in 2023. However, his performance in 2024 dipped, as he scored only 429 runs in 18 matches at an average of 26.81, with four half-centuries. Yadav will be aiming to regain his form in the upcoming matches.

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