Admitting to subpar ODI statistics, Suryakumar Yadav acknowledges the imperative need for improvement as the ODI World Cup looms ahead. The Indian batsman, predominantly a T20 specialist, finds his ODI position uncertain due to an unsatisfactory track record. In the course of 26 ODIs, Suryakumar has compiled a mere 511 runs, reflecting an underwhelming average of 24.33. Despite this, his strike rate remains a bright spot, standing at an impressive 101.38, buoyed by two half-century knocks.
Suryakumar’s presence in the 50-over arena dates back to India’s tour of New Zealand in November 2022, following their T20 World Cup campaign in Australia. His performance during this time was largely unremarkable, except for an unbeaten score of 34. Despite these fluctuations, the team management’s consistent support ensured his retention within the playing XI.
As the ODI World Cup approaches, Suryakumar’s journey takes on renewed significance. His recognition of the disparity between his T20 and ODI performance is an important step towards rectification. With a focus on bolstering his batting prowess, Suryakumar Yadav strives to cement his standing in the Indian ODI lineup, striving to overcome the challenges posed by the 50-over format.
Suryakumar Yadav said
“My ODI numbers are very poor and there is no shame in accepting that. Being honest is very important because everyone knows that, because we all talk about honesty.
“So it is very important to stay honest about your performance. But what is more important is how to improve that,” said Suryakumar.
“Rohit and Rahul sir have told me that this is the format that I don’t play much so you have to play it more and think about it.”If you are batting in the last 10-15 overs, think what you can do for the team. All we want from you is to play 45-50 ball if you are getting to bat in the 15-18 overs, play your own game. It’s in my hand now how to change the responsibility into an opportunity,” he added.
The 32-year-old’s struggles continued as he encountered a series of disappointing performances. Following the Sri Lanka series at home, where he managed only scores of 4 and 31, his woes escalated during the Australia series on home soil. In an unfortunate sequence, Suryakumar experienced a trio of golden ducks in all three games of the series. The announcement of India’s ODI squad for the three-match series against the West Indies was met with skepticism on social media platforms, given his recent struggles.
Despite this, he secured a spot in the squad.Hoping to redeem himself during the series against the Shai Hope led West Indies side, Suryakumar faced a critical juncture. This presented a golden opportunity for the middle-order batter to silence his critics by accumulating runs with consistency. However, his performances fell short of expectations, as he recorded scores of 19, 24, and 35 in the series. Unfortunately, these efforts failed to bolster his chances for selection in the upcoming ODI World Cup.
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