With the ongoing IPL season nearing its climax, the countdown for the T20 World Cup 2024 has begun. The BCCI has already announced India's 15-member squad. However, a concern lingers for the Indian team management – the recent form of some of the Indian batters, barring Virat Kohli who currently leads the IPL run-scorers list. Adding to the discussion, West Indies legend Brian Lara has suggested a change in India's batting order for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Lara believes Suryakumar Yadav, rather than Kohli, should bat at number three. Lara while explaining the rationale behind his advice said that the number three position traditionally offers the most playing time in T20 cricket, similar to how batting great Sir Vivian Richards dominated at that spot for the West Indies.
Briant Lara wants Suryakumar Yadav to bat above Virat Kohli in T20 World Cup
“My one advice, and I don't know if you're going to like it or not, but SKY has to bat at three. He just has to bat at three. He is one of the greatest T20 players in the game. And you speak to players like Sir Viv, and he will tell you he used to want to get out there in the middle,” Brian Lara told PTI.
"And I feel that that's the same thing with SKY. So, get in on it as quickly as possible. He's not an opener, get him out there and if he can bat for 10-15 overs, you know what's going to happen. He's going to put you in an unassailable position if you bat him first, or he's going to win the game if he's batting second. And then let everybody sort of position themselves outside of that, but a good structure is important. Just find a way to make Suryakumar bat at three”, he added.
Suryakumar's IPL Resurgence Bolsters Lara's Argument
Brian Lara's call for Suryakumar Yadav at no. 3 receives further backing with Suryakumar's recent exploits in the IPL 2024. Suryakumar found his mojo back in the IPL 2024 with a match-winning century against the Sunrisers Hyderabad recently. This innings adds to his overall IPL tally of 334 runs in just nine matches, boasting a phenomenal strike rate of 176.72.
Suryakumar's current form, coupled with his impressive record at No. 3 when Kohli opted out last year, strengthens Lara's argument. His ability to capitalise on the early overs and score quickly makes him a strong contender for the crucial No. 3 position in the T20 World Cup.
Suryakumar has primarily batted at No. 4 for India, compiling an impressive record with 1402 runs in 35 innings, including three centuries. When Kohli opted out of T20Is after the 2022 World Cup, Suryakumar was promoted to No. 3, performing admirably with 479 runs in 14 matches, including a century and four fifties.
Lara, in a recent interview with Hindustan Times, also emphasised the importance of having Suryakumar bat at No. 3. He acknowledges Virat Kohli's experience but believes Suryakumar's current form and ability to capitalize on the early overs makes him the ideal candidate.
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"Kohli's position should be No.4. Suryakumar Yadav is the star player and should be given the chance to bat at No.3 and win games for his team. Because in T20s, Nos.1, 2 and 3 are the main men. They are the ones with the most number of balls to put your team into a winning position. You want to get your best players in those positions as prominently as possible," Lara said.
"You want to have a left-right combination opening in T20s (Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma). The way I have seen Virat play recently, his strike rate is up there. But when you have someone who can totally take a bowling attack apart and demoralise them, you want to give that person the maximum opportunity. Back in the day, would you bat Viv Richards at No.5 or at No.3? So, I am not going to get into the argument of saying I don't see Kohli in (the side). I just think Suryakumar is a batter who can win you a game on his own. That's all I am going to say," he concluded.
India’s squad for T20 World Cup 2024
Rohit Sharma (captain), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.
Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan.
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