WI vs IND 2023: Important to give Suryakumar Yadav cushion of extra games ahead of World Cup, says Rohit Sharma

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma feels it is important to back Suryakumar Yadav in ODI format ahead of the World Cup. SKY hasn’t yet grabbed his chances in the 50-overs format like the way he has done in the T20I version.

The Mumbai batter smashed 83 off just 44 balls with the help of 10 fours and four sixes in a must-win third T20I against the West Indies at Providence Stadium, Guyana on Tuesday.

But in 26 ODIs, SKY has scored only 511 runs at an average of 24.33 and stated he wants to play according to the team management.

In the absence of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, SKY could play a huge role for the team in the ODI showpiece.

“There is no question about his ability in the T20 format. The challenges (in ODIs) are different. He is really working hard and he is talking to a lot of guys who have played a lot of ODI cricket as to what attitude and mindset (to have). Surya is also in the mix. The team management backs him to come good in ODIs, but despite the chances, he is yet to adapt,” Rohit Sharma said on the sidelines of a La Liga event in Mumbai.

Rohit feels it is crucial to put the weight behind Suryakumar Yadav as he can turn the match on its head with his blistering batting.

“He is the kind of player, you also have to give him that freedom to go and bat the way he does. You cannot tell him to face 100 balls and make 50 runs. It is important to give a batter like him the cushion of extra games so that he finds that groove, gets that confidence. The way he started IPL this year, in the first 4-5 games he did not have too many runs but look what he did after that.”

The Indian skipper heaped praise on Suryakumar Yadav for his ability to do the job for the team.

“For a player like him, it is our job to create such a situation and scenario – it’s okay if you don’t do well in 2-3 games, but when you come off, we know you will win games straightaway. That is what he did in the third T20I, the batters at the top got out, and for Surya to go and bat like that,” Rohit added.

The fourth T20I between India and West Indies will be played on Saturday at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida.