Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar feels Suryakumar Yadav should be promoted as a dedicated T20 batter and shouldn’t be included in the ODI team. SKY is part of both limited-overs teams for the tour of the West Indies but Manjrekar reckons the right-hander’s inclusion in the ODI team could hamper his T20 progress.

While Suryakumar Yadav has grabbed his opportunity with both hands in the T20I format, he is yet to take his chances in the ODI team. The 32-year-old has scored 1675 runs in 48 T20I matches for the national team at an impressive average of 46.53. But he has managed only 433 runs in 23 ODI matches at an average of 24.06.

However, Manjrekar feels SKY has the ability to perform in the ODI team.

Sanjay Manjrekar said on News24 Sports, “I would like to promote him as a dedicated T20 batter but that is my personal view. It is a very personal thing because if you keep giving him chances in 50-over cricket, Suryakumar Yadav has the ability to perform in 50-over cricket as well.”

The renowned commentator believes a little complication can creep into SKY’s game if he plays in the 50-overs version.

“I believe because he is not a 20-year-old player and the level at which his T20 game has gone, a little complication can come in his game if you play him in 50-over cricket.”

In fact, SKY registered three golden ducks in the ODI series against Australia earlier in the year. However, he was able to bounce back to form in IPL 2023 for Mumbai Indians after taking some time. The right-hander from Mumbai scored 605 runs in 14 matches of the season for the five-time champions. Ergo, Manjrekar wants to keep life simple for the Mumbai batter.

“When he played 50-over matches for India, when he got dismissed thrice off the first ball, it took him some time to regain his T20 form as well. He got derailed slightly. So I would want to keep life simple for him.”

India will lock horns with West Indies in the first Test match at Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica from Wednesday onwards.