Suryakumar Yadav will definitely be part of ODI World Cup squad, role clarity will help him: MSK Prasad

Former Indian chief selector MSK Prasad feels Suryakumar Yadav will definitely be part of the ODI World Cup squad and role clarity will help him. SKY hasn’t been able to deliver the goods in the ODI format as he is still yet to grab his chances.

However, SKY has been in magnificent form in the T20I version and has done a great job for the team. The Mumbai batter has scored 1780 runs in 51 T20I matches at an average of 45.64 and a blistering strike rate of 174.34. SKY also scored a fine knock of 83 runs off just 44 balls in the third T20I against the West Indies at Guyana on Tuesday to help the team win by seven wickets while chasing 160 runs.

But in 26 ODIs, SKY has scored only 511 runs at an average of 24.33 and thus he will be looking to turn the tables in the upcoming matches, especially in the absence of injured KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer in the middle order.

“I am 100 percent sure that Suryakumar will go to the World Cup. If someone can be a No. 1 player in the T20 format, it means he has special talent which we have seen in the T20Is that he has played for the country and in the IPL. We know about his ability to soak in pressure,” MSK Prasad told indiatoday.in.

In fact, SKY’s batting position has been chopped and changed by the team management and a better clarity of role will help him, according to MSK Prasad.

“I personally feel that he has still not got hold of his role in the team. If he gets hold of his role and plays accordingly, I am sure he will be one of the biggest match-winners and the best finisher for India in the World Cup. He has got the ability and we need to back him,” Prasad said.

“What Rohit and Dravid have now done is fantastic, probably they have given him role clarity. That will definitely help him because that (the finisher’s role) is the situation he enjoys the most. I am sure that would be a huge relief to Suryakumar and he can also start planning accordingly,” he added.

SKY has shown the skills to turn the match on its head in the T20I format and he can also make an impact in the 50-overs format.

India will begin their ODI World Cup 2023 campaign against Australia at the Chepauk Stadium, Chennai on the 8th of October.