IND vs WI: I Still Think That Suryakumar Yadav Is Best Suited At No.4 – Saba Karim

Former Indian national selector Saba Karim reckoned that Suryakumar Yadav is suitable to bat at No.4 despite the fireworks in the third T20I as an opener.

The Indian team management drew heavy criticism for promoting Suryakumar to open the innings with skipper Rohit Sharma in the first two T20I matches. Suryakumar, who usually bats at No.4, made scores of 24 and 11 in his new batting position.

Suryakumar Yadav is best suited at No.4: Saba Karim

The Mumbai batter shunned down the noise with a 44-ball 76, including eight fours and four sixes, batting at 172.73. He set the tone for India to chase 165 and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant played a sensible knock of 33 in 26 balls to finish the proceedings with six balls to spare.

While batting at No.4 in T20 Internationals, Suryakumar has aggregated 262 runs in nine innings at an average of 32.75 and a strike rate of 184.51. These are the best figures for the 31-year-old player in the format for any given position.

“I still think that he is best suited at No.4, especially against a top-quality bowling attack. No.4 is a very important batting position in ICC events, you need a player like Suryakumar there. He is equally proficient against pacers and spinners and scores at a healthy strike rate,” Karim said on India News Sports.

Suryakumar Yadav is brilliant in the middle-order: Reetinder Sodhi 

Former Indian spinner Reetinder Sodhi agreed to Karim’s views on Suryakumar’s batting position should remain in the middle-order.

“He is an exceptional player, he has proven himself at the International level. He is brilliant in the middle-order, he knows how to run the game, he knows how to rotate strike as well as score boundaries at regular intervals. He will keep the scoreboard ticking,” Sodhi said in the same interaction.

The fourth T20I between West Indies and India is scheduled to be played at Central Broward Park, Lauderhill, Florida in the United States of America (USA) on August 6.

Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav Jumps To 2nd Spot In ICC T20I Rankings Following Match-Winning Performance Against West Indies