Suryakumar Yadav let the entire nation down with his embarrassing batting performance in the 2023 World Cup Final between India and Australia. The right-handed batter, who is the world number one batter in T20Is, failed to justify his place in the ODI team once again.
The Indian team held him back for the final overs so that he could hit as many boundaries as possible. However, Suryakumar Yadav did not show any intent. He was more interested in giving strike to tail-enders instead of trying to attack the Australian bowlers. In the end, he lost his wicket after playing a terrible shot off Josh Hazlewood’s bowling, scoring just 18 runs at a strike rate of 64.
It seems highly unlikely that Yadav will get a chance to play ODI cricket for India again. Here are three players who can take his place in the Indian team.
1. Sanju Samson may replace Suryakumar Yadav
The number one contender to take Yadav’s place is Sanju Samson. Known for his intent, Samson has an average of more than 50 in ODI cricket. He did a decent job in the ODIs against West Indies. Also, he showed how to bat with tail-enders on a tough pitch during an ODI against South Africa in Lucknow.
India could have won the World Cup if Samson played yesterday. Nevertheless, Samson should get chances to play now.
2. Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh has shown that he can score runs under pressure and hit sixes at will in the death overs. Not many fans would know that he has gone through the grind in domestic cricket before making it big in IPL. Because of his red-ball cricket experience, Singh can be backed to perform well in ODIs.
3. Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar is severely underrated as a batter. The all-rounder knows how to bat with the lower-order batters and has the red-ball experience as well. Sundar’s presence also gives India an off-spin bowling option. He can be groomed to take Yadav’s place in the ODI team.
