Suryakumar Yadav has had a spectacular start to his international career but that is not enough for former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman to expect a place for him in the Indian squad for the first ODI against England.
The Hyderabad batsman doesn't find an in-form Suryakumar a place in any format of the game as there are players who have performed in each of the formats and cannot be replaced at the moment.
VVS Laxman said on Star Sports' show Cricket Connected, "I actually don’t know whether he will get to play in the playing XI and that’s the depth in this Indian team. Whether you take Test, one-day or T20I cricket, Suryakumar Yadav doesn’t get into the playing XI just because there are others who have performed exceedingly well in international cricket.”
“Yes, he’s in form, but I would definitely go with players, who have shown that consistency in international cricket. So, for me, he won’t get into the playing XI in the first ODI,” he added.
The 46-year-old also compared Suryakumar with another Mumbaikar, Shreyas Iyer. The latter showed that he can bat at No. 6 as well, in the T20I series against England. While he had always shown what he could do at No. 4, his performances lower down have come as a boon for himself and the team.
“I think it is very difficult to just choose one among both, Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer because what really interests me was the way Shreyas Iyer batted at No. 6 (in the T20I series). He batted with authority, conviction and just understood the situation and played his shots right from the word go.”
“Because we know that he is ideally suited for No. 4. He has done so well in both, one-dayers and T20Is in that position, but for the first time I have seen him bat at No. 6, and he didn't disappoint anyone,” he added.
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The experience of Iyer has worked in his experience as Laxman makes his choice among the two to play the ODI series against England starting from Tuesday, March 23.
“Suryakumar Yadav is also someone who has got the talent, but with experience, I feel Shreyas Iyer will be my pick ahead of Suryakumar Yadav. Because we just can't rely on one or two innings and we cannot really discount Shreyas Iyer's performances in international cricket.”
“Yes, Suryakumar Yadav has done really well for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, but Shreyas Iyer has been very consistent in whatever opportunities he got at the highest level. So, I will always choose Shreyas Iyer to do that role,” VVS Laxman concluded.
