Former Indian batter Robin Uthappa said Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav should bat at one down in T20Is. Yadav batted at one drop in the first T20I against Australia at the Manuka Oval, Canberra, on Wednesday.
SKY wasn’t in the best of form in the Asia Cup as he could only manage 72 runs in seven games ,but he scored an impressive knock of 39 runs off 24 balls against the Aussies. Yadav took his time initially, however, he was able to change gears after getting settled at the crease.
“It’s like you are stuck between a rock and a hard place because it’s a decision where you need to see your performances and manage your captaincy as well. So it’s a very difficult decision to make. However, I feel he should come in one position. In my opinion, there is no better position than No. 3 for Suryakumar in T20 cricket,” Robin Uthappa said on Star Sports.
“If the top three gets set, you can bring flexibility after that. You can bring left-right combinations. In the Asia Cup, they probably decided that Tilak Varma would come at No.3 if a left-hander got out and Surya would come if a right-hander got out. That’s still alright, but Suryakumar Yadav shouldn’t come below No. 4. A top-order batter has to make a lot of adjustments if he has to bat below No. 4,” he added.
Yadav is India’s most experienced T20I batter and Uthappa highlighted that him being in form is very important for India ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
“Suryakumar Yadav being in form is very important for India. If he wants to win the World Cup and play for a long time, since he is playing only one format, his form and rhythm are very important. When you are such an important player, your form is also important for the team and for yourself,” he said.
Uthappa said SKY did the right thing by batting at number three against Australia and backed the skipper to continue the batting momentum.
“It felt good that he came at No. 3 today and he is batting exceptionally well. If you give him room, he eats the bowler, and that’s what happened after the first rain break. I don’t think he is not in form. I think it is always a matter of time because this player has so much class,” Uthappa observed.
The second T20I between Australia and India will be played at the MCG on Friday.
