Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has said that Suryakumar Yadav’s role in the playing XI will become very important in Hardik Pandya’s absence. However, Pandya missed India’s last 2023 World Cup match against New Zealand after sustaining an ankle injury against Bangladesh. He is now all set to miss Sunday’s clash against England in Lucknow as well. Suryakumar replaced Pandya in the match XI against the Kiwis.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan said, “Hardik Pandya is unlikely to be available for the next two games. In Pandya’s absence, Suryakumar Yadav becomes very important. He will bat at the crucial No. 6 position. He was a little unlucky in the last game. He got run out following a mix-up with Virat Kohli while he was batting.”

The veteran also added that if Suryakumar Yadav had got his eye in against the Kiwis, the match wouldn’t have gone so far. He also backed him to make up for his lost opportunity in the game as well. While Suryakumar fell cheaply, Virat Kohli scored 95 off 104 balls and helped India win.

“If Suryakumar had stayed there, the match wouldn’t have gone so far. Till Virat Kohli was there out in the middle, there was no need to worry, but Suryakumar Yadav will be a crucial member for this team. I feel if he gets a chance, he will make up for the run out. His performances in ODIs in the recent series against Australia were worth watching,” Harbhajan Singh concluded.