Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey
Suryakumar Yadav snub from Indian squad stirs buzz | Fans and pundits criticise Suryakumar Yadav’s snub from the Indian T20I squad
Suryakumar Yadav, the Mumbai-based batsman, returned to Mumbai Indians in the 11th IPL edition, and has shown a glimpse of his talent by scoring 374 runs in IPL 2020 with three half-centuries. The right-handed batsman is writing his destiny this year too with back-to-back classic innings and match-winning performances. Recently, when BCCI announced its squad for the India-Australia series, fans were puzzled to see Yadav’s name missing.
This was especially the case after his splendid knock against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where the team in blue was chasing 165. Yadav smashed an unbeaten 79 in 45 balls to lead the team to finishing line. After being the highest run scorer for MI in 2018 and 2019, the decision to snub him for the T20I series against the Aussies didn’t settle well.
Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull praised the batsman, “It’s almost like what more I have to do. What you have to do is continually put your name in the selectors’ minds. There might be some on the bus or the plane ahead of you. But if you continue to bang that door, at some stage, they have to open that door, and let you in,” Doull said on Cricbuzz.
During the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Suryakumar Yadav was the second-highest scorer for Mumbai with 360 runs at an average of 51. Former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar also criticized the Mumbai star’s omission. “I’m astounded at the omission of Surya, who is currently one of the most talented batsmen in the country, from the teams selected for the Australian tour,” Vengsarkar told the Times of India.
“As far as sheer potential is concerned, I can compare Surya with the best in the Indian team. He has scored runs consistently. I don’t know what else he has to do to merit a place in the Indian team. A batsman is at his peak from the age of 26 to 34, and I feel Surya (30) is at the peak of his career. If form and fitness are not the criteria, then what is it? Can anybody explain? With Rohit (Sharma) out of the team due to (a hamstring) injury, Surya should have been there to strengthen the middle order. BCCI president Ganguly should question the motive behind dropping Surya,” the former India chief selector remarked.
Doull also said that his domestic cricket is also proof of his ability. “He has been doing it in domestic cricket, he has been doing it in IPL for last three years. He just continues to impress. The way he plays spin, the way he takes the quicks on, whether it’s a short ball or full. I like his composure. When he is chasing, he just wants to get the job done. That’s all you can ever ask of any batsman. He cannot be far away from an international cap,” he further said.
Sachin Tendulkar and veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh also lauded him. “Important win for @mipaltan. Fantastic innings by @surya_14kumar. Calm and composed as ever. Way to go!,” Tendulkar said. “Class inn yet again @surya_14kumar hope selectors are watching him play.. well played @mipaltan @IPL,” Harbhajan tweeted.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
