Veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh feels that Suryakumar Yadav is very important for the Indian team in the absence of Hardik Pandya, who is expected to miss the upcoming matches of the World Cup due to an ankle injury. Harbhajan, who was part of the 2011 World Cup-winning side, suggested that the number 6 spot is extremely crucial in the batting line-up and with Hardik still recovering, Suryakumar is the best available option for India.
Pandya is suspected to have a Grade 1 ligament tear in his ankle according to a report in Times of India. He will be monitored by Nitin Patel at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru which seems more serious than it was initially perceived.
India missed his services against New Zealand where they were forced to make a couple of changes in their XI to get the right balance. Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammed Shami came into the side, the former failed to make any major impact and was run out for just two while the premier paceman made a statement with a five-wicket haul.
Harbhajan asserted that Surya was a bit unlucky versus New Zealand but he holds a big importance in the side till Pandya recovers from the injury.
“Hardik Pandya is unlikely to be available for the next two games. In Pandya’s absence, Suryakumar Yadav becomes very important. He will bat at the crucial No. 6 position. He was a little unlucky in the last game. He got run out following a mix-up with Virat Kohli while he was batting,” said Harbhajan on his YouTube Channel.
Surya’s run-out put India in a trick position but Virat Kohli stood tall as his 95-run knock helped India emerge victorious over New Zealand.
“If Suryakumar had stayed there, the match wouldn’t have gone so far. Till Virat Kohli was there out in the middle, there was no need to worry, but Suryakumar Yadav will be a crucial member for this team. I feel if he gets a chance, he will make up for the run out. His performances in ODIs in the recent series against Australia were worth watching,” Harbhajan added.
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