Two-time World Cup winning Australian all-rounder Tom Moody was critical of selection of Suryakumar Yadav in the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2023 tournament which was announced on Monday, saying that the batter was very lucky to be picked despite better options being available.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma announced India's squad for the 2023 Asia Cup and there were some surprises as Yuzvendra Chahal was omitted from the squad as they went with a pace heavy attack for the event where they will play all of their matches in Sri Lanka.
Among the talking points was the inclusion of Suryakumar Yadav, who by his own admission has not been able to convert the blistering form he enjoys in T20 cricket to the 50-over format.
Tom Moody discussed the Indian squad on Star Sports and said that he feels Suryakumar is quite lucky to be in the squad and he would have rather gone for someone like Yashasvi Jaiswal instead.
"The player that I think is lucky to be in that side is Suryakumar Yadav. I know that he's a player that we all love to watch, but he is yet to really master the 50-over game. I think he's played over 20 matches now and at a very modest return," Moody said on Star Sports.
“And to me, there are better options available. I would have much rather seen a younger player like a Jaiswal in that side. Or take that position, and play a wrist spinner. Um, you know another wrist spinner,” Moody added.
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Suryakumar's numbers in T20 internationals are off the charts. In 53 matches, SKY has scored 1841 at a strike rate of a whopping 172.70 and average of 46.02 with three centuries and 15 half centuries.
However, in ODIs, the Mumbai batter has struggled to replicate the same numbers as he has played 26 matches and scored just 511 at an average of 24.33 and strike rate of 101.38. He has just two half centuries to his name.
"He's a genius in T20 cricket. But the 50-over cricket is a completely different format, and he's yet to really crack the code for that. You know, I just don't think he's gonna do it at the last minute," said Moody.
It remains to be seen whether Suryakumar makes it into the playing XI for the first part of the Asia Cup starting August 30. India begin their campaign against Pakistan on September 2.
(Star Sports inputs)
