Despite being unable to duplicate his T20I magic within the ODI format, Suryakumar, the world’s No. 1 T20I batter, was capable of retain his spot within the 15-man choice for the World Cup, regardless of the exclusion of Sanju Samson and rising teenager Tilak Varma.
“Suryakumar is a complete package. In the number where he bats, I don’t think there is any other better player than him in India. What he can accomplish at No 5 or 6, even Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, or Sanju Samson cannot replicate,” Harbhajan stated.
Suryakumar goes by way of a droop and hasn’t scored a fifty in his final 18 innings.
“Many would say what he has done in ODIs? But the impact he has made in T20s is enough. He can play an impactful innings that would make the difference,” the 43-year-old stated.
“When you bat from the 35th over, you need a game where you can find the gaps in the field, and nobody is better than Surya in doing that. He needs just 30 balls to change the game.
“Given a alternative, I’ll make him play each time. You cannot waste such a expertise like Surya.”
Harbhajan though added that the onus would be on the senior duo of Rohit and Virat to give the team a good start.
“Quite a bit will rely upon Rohit and Virat Kohli and the way they bat as a result of Shreyas has simply come again from an damage. Ishan Kishan seemed good. KL Rahul will play or not, we do not know. Hardik Pandya can even play a key position like Rohit or Virat.
“So, I believe they will all have to come together, play some amazing kind of cricket to lift the Cup. Otherwise, it will be very challenging to be honest.”
(With inputs from PTI)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com