Former India batter Suresh Raina feels that star India batter Suryakumar Yadav will have to play the finisher’s role for Team India during the 2023 World Cup as well. Raina added that Suryakumar is capable of playing a crucial role. Raina also added that the swashbuckling batter is the only one apart from MS Dhoni, who can be a game-changer for the team.

However, Suryakumar has come under the scanner following a series of poor performances in 50-over cricket. He bounced back to form ahead of the 2023 World Cup, registering scores of 50 and 72* in the first two ODIs of India’s three-match ODI series against Australia as well.

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“If anyone can make a huge impact in the death overs apart from MS Dhoni, then it’s Suryakumar Yadav,” Raina said while speaking to Sports Tak. “Shubman Gill will be India’s strongest card, he continued. “He has been in stunning form and has figured out how he needs to play in ODIs. He has spent some time with Virat and is batting with Rohit Sharma, who has hit double centuries. Gill has also hit a double century.”

Meanwhile, veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was one of the notable omissions from India’s 15-member squad for the 2023 World Cup. Suresh Raina also added that the national selectors should have picked him for the ICC event as well.

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“I still feel Yuzvendra Chahal should have been in the squad. Most teams have two leg-spinners. However, we have just one wrist spinner in Kuldeep Yadav. I believe Kuldeep will be our trump card. India, New Zealand, Australia, and England. I would also want to add Afghanistan and South Africa as wildcard entries. The World Cup will be played across 10 venues for around 45 days. Considering the months in which they are playing, it will be challenging for the fast bowlers. This is why I believe one more team from the subcontinent, apart from India, can do very well,” Suresh Raina concluded.