World Cup 2023: I would have SKY as the second player in my team after the captain – Harbhajan Singh on Suryakumar Yadav’s selection

Former Indian veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh has backed Suryakumar Yadav’s selection in India’s final XI in the ongoing World Cup. The Turbanator feels SKY can be an X-Factor in the ODI showpiece as he can win games on his own.

Singh added that SKY can win India the tournament if he gets going. In fact, Yadav hasn’t been able to grab his opportunities in the ODI format like the way he has done in the T20I version of the game.

However, the right-hander recently scored two half-centuries in the three-match ODI series against Australia. Yadav scored 50 runs from 49 balls in the first ODI whereas he added the finishing touches in the second game with a blistering 37-ball 72 to help India post 399 runs on the board.

Harbhajan Singh said at India Today Conclave: “Looking forward to Suryakumar Yadav. He is an X-factor. If he gets going, he won’t just win you the match, but he will win you the tournament. If I were a selector, I would have SKY as the second player in my team after the captain. Hardik Pandya is as good as anyone when it comes to hitting the ball and playing the normal game. I would play SKY if I were part of the team management. Who knows if they will play him or not?”

Singh added he would have been frightened if he had to bowl at Suryakumar Yadav. SKY has a 360-degree game and can hit the ground running as he has all the shots in the book.

“I don’t know what it is about him (Suryakumar). Today, I would be frightened bowling to him but not when I was at my peak. He reminds me of AB de Villiers. We need a player like him to play. Even if flops, I would still play him for the remaining matches.”

India will begin their World Cup campaign against Australia at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on 8th October.