Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has highlighted that Suryakumar Yadav hasn’t scored runs consistently in the T20 World Cup, which are concerning signs for India. Chopra said SKY has scored only two fifties against big teams whereas the rest of his decent knocks have come against the minnows or associate nations.
Barring scoring a brilliant knock of 84 runs off just 49 balls in the team’s opening game against the USA, SKY hasn’t been at his absolute best.
Yadav was dismissed after scoring 18 runs off 16 balls against the West Indies in the Super 8 clash of the T20I showpiece at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday. SKY has scored 231 runs in seven matches of the tournament at an average of 38.50 and a strike rate of 135.88.
“There is depth in that question because I was looking at Suryakumar Yadav’s numbers. When you check his World Cup numbers, you find that his overall numbers are excellent. He has scored two half-centuries against USA, out of which one was very important at this ground itself. It was a phenomenal knock, but outside of the associate nations or the minnows, with due respect, he actually has only two half-centuries in World Cups,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“This is his fourth T20 World Cup. If we include the ODI one, this is his fifth World Cup, but only two half-centuries have come against good big teams. One came against South Africa in Perth, and the other came against Afghanistan in the last World Cup. Apart from that, he hasn’t scored a fifty against any big team in the World Cup, and that, in my opinion, is a little worrying because he is such a mighty player,” he added.
Chopra backed SKY to deliver at his home ground of the Wankhede Stadium against England.
“So change everything now. Whatever happened in the past won’t matter at all. This England clash is in your home, where you know every blade of grass. You know every nook and corner. Score runs here,” he said.
The renowned commentator said India’s chances of beating England will multiply if Suryakumar scores runs.
“All old things would be forgotten because the team doesn’t lose when Surya scores good runs. The win percentage increases. So, I won’t say Suryakumar Yadav is a concern, but the truth is that runs will have to be scored because if you have only two half-centuries against top teams in five World Cups, that doesn’t sit right,” Chopra elaborated.
India will take on England in the second semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Thursday.
