'If Man of the Match is dropped...' - Kapil Dev questions inconsistent selection of Suryakumar Yadav in ODIs

IND vs NZ ODIs 2023: 'If Man of the Match is dropped...' - Kapil Dev questions inconsistent selection of Suryakumar Yadav in ODIs (Image Source: Twitter)

India faced off against New Zealand in the first ODI on January 18, Wednesday and it was Shubman Gill who stood up for the team with his invaluable 208. However, the in-form batter Suryakumar Yadav continued his mediocre run in the 50-over format as the batter gathered only 31 runs before making his way back to the dressing room. 

One has to agree that Suryakumar is one of the best batters at present when it comes to the shortest format of the game. However, the right-handed batter has not been able to live up to the expectations in the 50-over format and much to the surprise of the Indian fans, he has breached the 50-run landmark only twice in the 17 innings that he has played. 

While his inability to carry forward the form into the ODIs still remains a mystery, the former Indian captain Kapil Dev opened up on the issue and said that it was surprising to see him sit on the bench for the first two ODIs against Sri Lanka. Although the Men in Blue won the series 3-0, Suryakumar’s absence was felt in the middle order, despite the batter scoring a century in the final T20I before the start of the ODI series against the Lankan Lions. 

There are so many cricketers coming so everyone should get a chance to play: Kapil Dev

Further, Kapil said that he would like to leave the issue to the cricket board and the selectors, although he firmly cemented his opinion on leaving the Indian star batter out for the initial two games against the Dasun Shanaka-led team. However, Suryakumar was brought into the playing XI for the final clash and for the first contest against the Black Caps. 

“I think we should leave it to the cricket board what they (selectors) plan. There are so many cricketers coming so everyone should get a chance to play. From what I can see from the outside is that they will have three teams - one each for T20Is, ODIs and Tests. That way, you can have a bigger pool,” Kapil was quoted as saying to Gulf News. 

“Having said that, they should have one set of teams for a period of time. You can change an odd person I can understand that. But if you Man of the Match (Suryakumar Yadav) is getting dropped the next day and somebody else comes in, we as cricketers don't understand that," he added.