Former chief selector MSK Prasad strongly believes and is '100 percent' confident that middle order batter Suryakumar Yadav will be a part of Team India's squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup. Prasad understands that Suryakumar is a 'special talent' and for him to be ranked No.1 in T20I batters list displays the right-handed willow-wielder's ability to win matches for the country.
"I am 100 percent sure that Suryakumar will go to the World Cup. If someone can be a No. 1 player in the T20 format, it means he has special talent which we have seen in the T20Is that he has played for the country and in the IPL. We know about his ability to soak in pressure," MSK Prasad told indiatoday.in.
Suryakumar has played 26 ODIs for the Men in Blue and his record doesn't do justice to his remarkable talent and potential. The right-handed batter has scored 511 runs at a dismal average of 24.33 with the help of two half-centuries.
For some bizarre reason, Suryakumar has been unable to translate his T20I form into ODI success. Rohit and the team management have shown immense faith and belief in the Mumbai batter. Yet, Suryakumar hasn't been able to make the No.4 position his own in 50-over cricket.
Prasad thinks that the main reason why the Mumbai Indians' batter has struggled to make an impact in ODIs is because of the lack of role clarity.
"I personally feel that he has still not got hold of his role in the team. If he gets hold of his role and plays accordingly, I am sure he will be one of the biggest match-winners and the best finisher for India in the World Cup. He has got the ability and we need to back him," Prasad said.
"What Rohit and Dravid have now done is fantastic, probably they have given him role clarity. That will definitely help him because that (the finisher's role) is the situation he enjoys the most. I am sure that would be a huge relief to Suryakumar and he can also start planning accordingly," he added.
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