Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has questioned the team management’s decision to drop Suryakumar Yadav for the playing XI in the third T20I against England on Tuesday, adding that the youngster needs to be given the opportunity to “see where he stands”.
Suryakumar was omitted from the playing XI to make way for Rohit Sharma, who was rested in the first two games of the five-match series.
However, Gambhir was not amused by the constant changes in the line-up and said that it creates a lot of problems.
“It amazes me, seven months before the World Cup, he starts preparing for World Cup, and probably after the World Cup he will start preparing for the next World Cup. It really doesn’t matter, the kind of form you are in matters,” Gambhir was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
If Suryakumar delivers for India in the ongoing series, he could be looked at as a backup option at the number four batting position, Gambhir added.
“Imagine if there is an injury issue, what have you seen of Suryakumar Yadav in international cricket? I hope nobody gets injured, but if there is an injury case and somebody needs to bat at number 4 and number 5… For example, there has to be a replacement for Shreyas Iyer, who are you going to go for? So at least look at someone whom you have got into the setup. Probably give him that opportunity in three or four games and see where he stands,” the cricketer-turned-politician said.
The ex-India opener highlighted that England had fielded the same playing XI in the series, but India were resting and rotating players too much.
“We create a problem for our own self because we juggle a lot. In every game, there is some change or the other. Look at what England have done in this third T20I, they have not changed their batting order. So if you create problems for yourself, you would keep talking about problems of plenty,” he said.
“India will never be short of talent, there will always be players coming through because we have got such a great structure, we have got such a great franchise cricket a tournament like IPL. But when you keep juggling players, keep dropping players you will create problems for yourself,” he added.
India lost the third T20I by eight wickets as Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow guided England to secure a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The hosts will look to level the series as they take on the Eoin Morgan-led side in the fourth match on Thursday.
