Would Certainly Play Suryakumar Yadav Ahead Of Either Ajinkya Rahane Or Cheteshwar Pujara: Farokh Engineer

Former Indian wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer said that he would prefer Suryakumar Yadav ahead of either Ajinkya Rahane or Cheteshwar Pujara in Tests.

Rahane and Pujara found the rhythm in their form at Lord’s, where they built a hundred-run stand between them to revive India’s second innings after the team slumped to 55/3 at one stage against England. Rahane used his strokeplay to keep the runs flowing as he reached his 24th fifty in Tests.

Suryakumar Yadav is a match-winner: Farokh Engineer

Suryakumar Yadav had to wait for a long period to make the cut for India in the international arena. His persistency in IPL and India A tours forced the selectors to pick him for the England T20Is at home earlier this year.

Suryakumar started his career in a fashionable manner, as he opened his account with a six off England speedster Jofra Archer’s bowling in the third T20I in Ahmedabad. The Mumbai batsman also made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka last month and bagged the player of the series award for scoring 124 from three innings.

Would like to see Suryakumar Yadav’s inclusion for the third Test: Farokh Engineer

Engineer called Suryakumar a match-winner and wants him to play in the England series because of the aggressiveness he brings in his game.

Engineer expects the Headingley pitch to be a good surface for batters and feels that Suryakumar Yadav’s inclusion will be beneficial to the Indian team.

“Firstly, I am a huge fan of Suryakumar Yadav. I think he is a class player. I would certainly prefer him to Pujara or Rahane. They are class players, very good players, but Suryakumar Yadav is a match-winner.

“With Shreyas Iyer out of the team with injury, I think Suryakumar should certainly be in the team. He is an aggressive player; he will get you a quick hundred, a quick 70-80. He is a fabulous batsman, fabulous fielder and a wonderful human being as well,” Engineer told Sports Tak.

“People are usually reluctant to change a winning combination but like they say ‘horses for courses’. It depends on the wicket in Headingley. I don’t see it being too different. The Headingley pitch will be a good Test wicket.

“It’s considered to be one of the finest batting pitches in the world. So, I would like to see the inclusion of Suryakumar Yadav. He is the trump card in the team,” Engineer added.

India currently leads the five-Test series 1-0 and will move to Leeds to play the third Test against England at Headingley, with the match begin on August 25.

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