Former India player Gautam Gambhir on Wednesday said that he would want to see Suryakumar Yadav bat at No. 3 for India in T20Is even after Virat Kohli’s return to the squad. Gambhir’s comments came after Yadav smashed a match-winning 62 in just 40 balls against New Zealand in the T20I series opener in Jaipur as well.
Suryakumar Yadav did exceptionally well while batting at No. 3 as Virat Kohli has been rested for the 3-match T20I series. He also took the charge while batting with Rohit Sharma after a 50-run opening stand. He smashed 3 sixes and 6 boundaries as he never allowed the New Zealand bowlers to settle down in the middle-overs. He added a 59-run stand with Rohit to help India win as well. While speaking to Star Sports after India’s five-wicket win in Jaipur, Gambhir said Suryakumar Yadav should bat at No. 3 in T20Is as it will help India carry forward the momentum of the openers as well.
“He (Suryakumar) has got many options. He plays spin very well. He has got all the shots, he is a 360 player as well. That is what makes him very difficult to bowl at. When Virat Kohli comes back, I still want to see Suryakumar bat at No. 3 and Virat at No. 4,” Gautam Gambhir said.
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“That gives India an option to continue with the momentum because Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are very explosive at the top. And Surya at No. 3 could be your best option because he can continue the momentum and Virat can be an anchor at No.4 probably like how Steve Smith has been for Australia. If you lose a couple of early wickets, Virat can manage that middle order,” he further added.
Gautam Gambhir also stated that India’s middle-order is a bit inexperienced with Rishabh Pant and Venkatesh Iyer following Suryakumar and Kohli’s experience will be useful if he bats at No.4. However, he also said that he wasn’t happy as Suryakumar couldn’t stay to the end. And, when they needed 10 runs from the final over, Rishabh Pant kept his cool and hit the winning runs for India in the T20I series opener.
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“So once, Virat gets in, I still want to see Surya batting at No. 3 because he will win you many more games while batting at No. 3. If you bat Virat at No. 3, then there is hardly any experience in that middle order with Surya, Rishabh following. So Virat will probably have to play that most important role, play that anchor role and bring the middle-order together,” Gambhir added.
“Very disappointing. Though I really admire him for the way he bats, he really needs to finish off as well. It’s not important how you start, it’s important how you finish. It doesn’t matter if you get a 60 or a 70, it’s important to finish games. That’s what maturity is all about,” Gautam Gambhir concluded.
