Will Suryakumar Yadav Be A Part Of India's World Cup Squad 2023? Former Chief Selector MSK Prasad Drops Massive Update

Former India chief selector MSK Prasad has said Suryakumar Yadav would make it to the ODI World Cup squad. While Suryakumar Yadav has been doing really well in the T20I format and is currently the number-one batsman in the world, he has failed to replicate that performance in the 50-over format.

India did not take long to hand him an ODI debut after his impressive start in T20Is in 2021. Just four months after his T20I debut, he made his debut in the ODI as well. Fast forward to 2023 and he is yet to cement his spot in India’s ODI team while being an indispensable part of the T20I team.

While he has been constantly backed in the ODI format, he is yet to justify the faith shown in him by the selectors and the team management. In 26 ODIs so far, the Mumbai star has managed to score only 511 runs at an average of 24. His performance in the 50-over format this year has been anything but promising.

During the three-match ODI series against Australia at home in March this year, he was out for a duck in each of the three matches. He also looked unimpressive during the recent ODI series against West Indies, scoring 19, 24 and 35.

MSK Prasad backs Suryakumar Yadav for a World Cup spot:

While Suryakumar Yadav continues to struggle in the ODI format, MSK Prasad believes the batsman will be a part of India’s squad for this year’s World Cup at home. Prasad stated that Suryakumar Yadav’s track record in T20Is will be enough for him to seal a spot in the World Cup squad.

“I am 100 percent sure that Suryakumar will go to the World Cup. If someone can be a No. 1 player in the T20 format, it means he has special talent which we have seen in the T20Is that he has played for the country and in the IPL. We know about his ability to soak in pressure,” MSK Prasad told Indiatoday.

Speaking further, the former India wicketkeeper opined that Suryakumar Yadav is still not clear about his role in the ODI side. Prasad said that once the batsman gets clear-cut information about his role, he could transform into a big match-winner for Team India in the World Cup.

“I personally feel that he has still not got hold of his role in the team. If he gets hold of his role and plays accordingly, I am sure he will be one of the biggest match-winners and the best finisher for India in the World Cup. He has got the ability and we need to back him,” Prasad said.

“What Rohit and Dravid have now done is fantastic, probably they have given him role clarity. That will definitely help him because that (the finisher’s role) is the situation he enjoys the most. I am sure that would be a huge relief to Suryakumar and he can also start planning accordingly,” he added.