The ICC T20 World Cup 2021 is around the corner and all the team managements are now focussing on the squad selection for the right balance going into the tournament. India’s new-look white-ball squad is currently touring Sri Lanka and featuring in the only scheduled T20I series before the World Cup.
With the halted IPL 2021 slated to resume again from 19th September, this could be the last chance for the players to perform with India squad and seal their position in the final squad for the World Cup. The selectors will also monitor player’s fitness and form during the IPL to finalize the squad.
With both IPL and T20 World Cup now shifted to UAE, the selectors can take their time to choose the final squad as all the players who will be part of the World Cup squad would remain in the bio-bubble and the remaining Indian players would return back home.
Having lost three ICC tournament finals in last eight years, India would definitely want to end this jinx of missing out at the final step. Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has predicted the player who could be the ‘X-Factor’ for Team India.
"I think Suryakumar Yadav is definitely going to be in the World Cup. Virat Kohli will be opening with Rohit Sharma and you’ll have Suryakumar Yadav coming in at No. 3. I just think he’s expanded his game… the range of shots that he’s got… he’s unorthodox as well so he can play different ramp shots on both leg and off side, but he can also attack you and use his feet," Hogg said on his YouTube channel.
The 30-year-old Suryakumar Yadav has made his international debut just recently but has been performing over the years at domestic level and for Mumbai Indians in IPL. Hogg made a bold prediction that Yadav would be a key player for India and feels he could be top contender for Player-of-the-Tournament, if he continues his good form.
"I just think he is going to be the difference in this particular tournament. If he stands out and puts the bowlers off with that array of shots, I think he is going to set the tournament up for India. For me, I think Suryakumar Yadav is the man for India and I think he’s the man to watch at the T20 World Cup. I think he might be Player of the Series at the T20 World Cup. That’s a big call so far out," Hogg added.
Suryakumar Yadav was the Player-of-the-series on his debut in ODI series against Sri Lanka and the fans would want to see the player maintain his rein of form. Yadav has also got a late call for the Test series in England amid some injuries to players, and this could finally give him his Test debut for India.
(Inputs from Hindustan Times)
