Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer feels Suryakumar Yadav will get used to the ODI format. SKY hasn’t been able to take the 50-overs version by storm the way he has done the T20 cricket. The right-hander finally got his chance in the final XI in the first ODI against New Zealand after Shreyas Iyer was ruled out with a back injury.

The 32-year-old was able to hit the ground running and raced to 31 off just 25 balls. But the Mumbai batter was dismissed against the run of play as he gave a simple catch to Mitchell Santner despite getting set at the crease.

The rising star of Indian cricket has scored 419 runs in 18 ODI matches at an average of 29.93 and a strike rate of 101.7 and thus he hasn’t met the lofty expectation.

Wasim Jaffer said while talking to ESPN Cricinfo, “I think he is just used to playing the T20 format. He knows there’s not much time in T20 cricket, but you do have that in 50 overs, so he needs to understand it. He hasn’t played a lot of 50-over cricket, but he will get used to it after a few more games.”

“Today, he looked like a million-dollar player. He had a start before a very soft dismissal, but it’s better if he starts his innings close to the 30-over mark. However, it gives him time to play until 35-40 overs and then he can play like he does in T20 cricket,” Jaffer added.

Jaffer feels if SKY comes out to bat with 20 overs to spare in ODI cricket then it will suit his batting style as the situation will be similar to a T20I game.

“So, ideally, if he comes near the 30-over mark, it will suit him and India because that’s how he plays in T20 cricket. Sometimes it can get confusing when players get a lot of overs, but he is a quality player. He played for Mumbai in first-class cricket at number four, so he knows how to build an innings. So, he is not new to the role,” said Jaffer.

Yadav will want to grab his opportunities in the ODI format as there is stiff competition for the middle-order slots.

The second ODI between India and New Zealand will take place in Raipur on Saturday.