Although the form of Suryakumar Yadav has dipped in recent times, the Indian T20I skipper is one of the prolific run-getters in the T20I format overall. However, he could not convert his run-scoring form in the T20I format into the ODI setup. In 35 innings he has played Surya has scored 773 runs at an average of 25.76. The 35-year old admitted to his shortcomings in the 50-over version of the game and said that when he meets Ab de Villiers, he will take his advice on how to perform in both formats.
“If I meet him soon, then I would like to ask him how he managed to balance his T20I and ODI games. I haven’t been able to do so. I thought ODIs should be played like T20Is. I want to ask him what he did to be successful in both formats,” Suryakumar Yadav said on Vimal Kumar’s YouTube channel.
“AB, if you are listening to this, please get in touch with me quickly because there are three or four important years ahead for me. I’m very keen on playing ODI cricket as well. Please help me! I couldn’t balance T20Is and ODIs,” he added. The South African has scored from 228 games scored 9577 runs.
Surya also gave his views on Washington Sundar and Jitesh Sharma who return to the playing XI on Sunday in the third ODI both of them were unbeaten with scores of 49* and 22* respectively guiding India to a five-wicket win. “Absolutely. Those guys were practising really hard and waiting for their chance. Washi (Washington Sundar) showed great flexibility, Jitesh contributed well, and Arshdeep was outstanding. It felt like the right combination tonight,” added Suryakumar.
Morne Morkel on Arshdeep Singh’s game time
Arshdeep Singh, on his return to the Indian side, picked up 3/35 and has been awarded the Player Of The Match for the side in his third T20I at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Sunday. The left-arm seamer, despite being the highest wicket-taker for India in the format with 104 wickets, has been warming the bench too often. Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel said there are limited games going into the T20 World Cup, and it is important to see how the players react under pressure.
“It is not easy,” said Morkel on Arshdeep. “There will always be disappointment in terms of players and selection, but that is something at times that, as a player, is uncontrollable.”
“For us, from our side, we just keep on asking them to work hard and try hard and be ready for when they do get the opportunity. There are limited games now leading into the T20 World Cup, so it is essential for us to see how the players can react in certain situations under pressure; otherwise, it will be unknown to us. So it is a bit of playing those sorts of games and then still having the mindset to win the game of cricket,” said Morkel.
