No batsman in the world is better than Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is at this moment. However, the batsman has failed to replicate the same performance in ODI Cricket till now.
In both the ODI matches against Australia, Suryakumar was dismissed by Mitchell Starc, reducing his career average to 25.47.
Speaking to Cricbuzz after the second ODI, where India lost by 10 wickets, Karthik said that it is necessary to back Suryakumar amid the absence of Iyer while suggesting a rejig in the middle-order line-up.
“He would have gotten out on those two deliveries even in T20s. It is not that because it is ODIs, he is getting out. This is high-quality bowling irrespective of the format. He played the two ODIs now and prior to that he didn’t play consistently. Shreyas Iyer was the preferred No.4 and rightfully so and Surya was the back-up option. Where we need to be with Surya is to remind ourselves of the talent he is,” he said.
“What I like to see is can they fit in Surya at a different place to get the best out of him. I feel Hardik enjoys batting up top so is there a possibility of sending him at No.4 and Surya at six. It is so because when you give him 15-18 overs, the way he is able to turn the game on its head is very very good. And irrespective of whether there are 5 or 4 fielders inside the circle he is able to hit boundaries at will and make a mockery out of the captain. When you give Surya lesser overs, 14-18 overs, he is at his venomous best. Suryakumar in ODIs is a non-negotiable.”