Star India batter Suryakumar Yadav has been struggling with poor form in one-day cricket. He has been phenomenal in the shortest format of the game but has failed to replicate his performance in ODIs. He has been given a long rope in the format but has failed to capitalise on the opportunities. In the ongoing West Indies tour, he has scored just 43 runs in two innings.
Speaking about his failures and their effect on the Indian team, coach Rahul Dravid backed the 31-year-old batter. Dravid said that Suryakumar will be most disappointed with his performance, but he is also learning ODIs. “Surya is a really good player; there is no doubt about that. He has shown that. Especially in T20 cricket, in domestic cricket, and in white-ball cricket”, said Dravid.
“He has some very good performances. He would be the first to admit that his ODI numbers haven’t been up to the standards that he has set in T20. He’s also probably learning ODIs. He played a lot of competitive T20 cricket through the IPL before he made his debut for India. In One-dayers, he hasn’t played as much competitive cricket because there is no IPL for one-dayers”, he added.
“He is taking the opportunities”, Rahul Dravid praises Ishan Kishan
In addition to Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan was also being closely monitored. The wicketkeeper-batter, however, performed exceptionally. He has scored three back-to-back fifties and has cemented his place in the starting XI. Speaking about his performance, Coach Dravid said, “Ishan has done really well; this is his third fifty in a row, counting the Test match as well. He’s taking opportunities when given a chance. That’s all that we ask from young players.”
“We want to give them as many chances as we possibly can. We can’t give chances to everyone all the time. There are other talented guys as well. We try as much as we can”, Dravid further added. Notably, India rested skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the second ODI. The decision didn’t go well with the team, as they failed to win the game.
Here is how fans reacted to Rahul Dravid’s comments on Suryakumar Yadav:
Give opportunities in domestic cricket
— Faad Dunga BC (@naalaYUCK) July 30, 2023
Group stage exit isn't far now pic.twitter.com/PdGwBvhYur
— AR? (@Captain_RG_31_) July 30, 2023
First they will give him opportunities, once he starts performing they will start trying young players. This is the story of last 5-10 years of Indian team management. Surya is already 32 and one of the best T20 player in the world atm. (1)
— The FPL Monk (@ThinkingFpl) July 30, 2023
That's the problem with the Team Management. You accept he is not doing as well as was expected of him & yet you still keep giving him endless chances at the cost of team's success & other player's fair chance to represent. Just not done. Take tough calls. It's high time.
— Advaitya Chandhoke (@AdvaityaC) July 30, 2023
Nonsense these guys are not confident about the team
Mumbai lobby is getting the games & players like Sanju & Ruturaj are made to sit out or are given just 1-2 games
Hardik is made vcap on bases of IPL apart from that what other qualities is he having to cap a side ?— Rishabh Saudagar (@RishabhSaudaga2) July 30, 2023
Absolutely keep backing camp culture and keep playing injured and out of form players and take Indian cricket to new lows…play associate nations…good players will struggle for 4-5 years l announce retirements and will play leagues world over and earn their living
— Sriram Deshpande (@SriramDeshpand2) July 30, 2023
Still learning aa pic.twitter.com/bjmrQ8Ex8a
— Freak dich (@freakdich) July 30, 2023
He is learning ? pic.twitter.com/cDR7WgGR0B
— Rodony ? (@Rodony_) July 30, 2023
I'm saying this on the behalf of 1.4 billion population #SackDravid until it's too late. pic.twitter.com/4MGDw3nNSE
— Mohit (@CricketHolik) July 30, 2023
What the hell if he can't adopt to the format then what's the point in giving him n number of chances clearly it's showing politics are going in bcci & ICT
— Yogendar Reddy (@YogendarReddy7) July 30, 2023
Don't say learning sir…
His only job is to play cricket…
Ball is same bat is same
It is not a red ball cricket
You need to go with inform batsman and bowlers for the world cup otherwise serious damage will occur like T20 world cup— Md Jahangeer (@md_mdjahangeer) July 30, 2023
Now my question is, will we see Rohit & Kohli in the next match? If yes, what answers did you get in just 1 match of experiment? I remember Dravid from his RR days, he used to do a lot of unnecessary experiments which also cost a few matches. Experiment is good till A games.
— Vandit Goyal (@vandit_gyl12) July 30, 2023
