Gambhir once again comes up with a critical opinion on India’s playing eleven for the upcoming ODI World Cup at home Gambhir does show a possibility of Suryakumar Yadav being in India’s first XI for the World Cup but also gives a warning to both captain Rohit and Head coach Dravid that the decision to play Suryakumar Yadav may backfire during the mega event.
Suryakumar Yadav though was in a beast mode in the 2nd ODI and silenced all the critics. The management would be quite relieved as this time Suryakumar Yadav took his time and then unleased attack on the opposition team and the batter looked in complete control
It will be a huge gamble -Gambhir on Suryakumar Yadav
Gambhir feels playing Suryakumar Yadav in the playing 11 will put pressure on the top order as he was known for his t20 style of batting but playing at no-5 will not suit his style of batting. Jadeja and Hardik will have to play up the order at 5 and 6 they will feel the pressure if the top order fails then it will be the chaos in the batting order.
Speaking to Star Sports on YouTube, Gambhir explained that if Suryakumar is indeed a first-choice player for the World Cup, he should be playing at No. 7 for India as a finisher, but warned that it would be a huge gamble given that the team would then have to play Ravindra Jadeja at No. 5 and thereby put pressure on the top four.
“When you go for a World Cup, you generally have a fixed playing XI. You don’t chop or change. Remember the 2011 World Cup, we hardly made any changes. Yusuf Pathan played 5-6 matches at the start and then it was Suresh Raina. If Suryakumar Yadav is in your first playing XI then I would want him to bat at 6-7, but the big question will then be who will bat at No. 5,” said Gautam Gambhir.
“Then Jadeja can bat at No. 5, Hardik at 6 and Suryakumar as finisher where he can bat in the final 15-20 overs. But it will be a huge gamble deciding whether you want Jadeja at No. 5 and Suryakumar, in the form that he is in ODI cricket, at No. 7. This would put a lot of responsibility on the top four,” he added.