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'Four years later we are having it again. If Iyer was the...': India legend hints at Suryakumar's removal from WC plan
Legendary India cricketer has now hinted towards the removal of Suryakumar from the 2023 ODI World Cup plans, urging the side to find solution in the absence of Shreyas Iyer.
The No.4 conundrum has grappled India again. And it has once again become the cynosure of India's recently-concluded ODI campaign at home against Australia where the hosts lost 1-2 after back-up option Suryakumar Yadav incurred a forgettable streak of three consecutive golden ducks. Legendary India left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan has now hinted towards the removal of Suryakumar from the 2023 ODI World Cup plans, urging the side to find solution in the absence of Shreyas Iyer.
The discussion around No.4 had led to a major error in the 2019 World Cup where the team suffered a semi-final exit. But the management had settled the debate with Shreyas Iyer as the designated choice. However a back injury has reportedly ruled him out for more than six months.
Suryakumar, who has remained a back-up option for the No.4 spot, was given a go for the series against Australia. But the No.1 ranked T20I batter suffered three straight golden duck dismissals - two by left-armer Mitchell Starc and one by spinner Ashton Agar.
Speaking to Cricbuzz on where the concerns lay for Rohit Sharma and his men in the build up to the World Cup in October, Zaheer explained that India need to rethink about their batting order, emphasising on No.4 slot. He feels that with Iyer out for a long time, India need to find an alternative, hinting towards Suryakumar's removal from World Cup plan.
“You need to look at little at the batting order. You need to figure out at No.4 option again. It was something in discussion leading up to the 2019 World Cup and four years later we are having it again. Yes Shreyas Iyer was your designated choice but if he is going to be injured now for the longer time then you need to find the answer,” he said.
Under fire Suryakumar however still has the strong backing of his skipper, who feels that that those three dismissals could have happened to any other batter.
"He only played three balls in three (games) this series. I don't know how much to look into it. He got three good balls, to be honest. Today, it wasn't that good ball; he should have gone forward. He knows best. He plays spin so well. We have seen that over last couple of years. That's why we held him back and give him that role for the last 15-20 overs where he can play his game, but it's really unfortunate he could only play three balls. That can happen to anyone. But the potential and ability is always there. He is just going through that phase right now," Rohit- had said after the third game against Australia.
