Team India celebrated a resounding victory against Australia, clinching a win by 99 runs through the DLS method in a rain-affected match in Indore. While the triumph was undoubtedly sweet, it ushered in a selection problem for the team management. With just 10 days remaining before India’s World Cup campaign on home soil, the spotlight now rests firmly on the middle-order problem, with four talented players vying for two spots – No. 4 and 5.
Shreyas Iyer’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Battling a back injury and doubts surrounding his fitness after suffering a spasm during the Asia Cup, he swiftly put those concerns to rest with a stunning century against Australia in the 2nd ODI. His resilience and prowess with the bat have reinforced his claim to a spot in the World Cup squad.
In the same match that showcased Iyer’s brilliance, Suryakumar Yadav, known for his T20 batting prowess, displayed newfound confidence in the 50-over format. He notched up his second consecutive fifty, culminating in a career-best score. Yadav’s resurgence in the longer format of the game has added a compelling dimension to the middle-order battle.
Adding to the intrigue are Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul. Ishan Kishan, a left-handed wicketkeeper-batter, made waves with his dazzling 82 in a rain-washed-out match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. KL Rahul, on the other hand, has been in sublime form, consistently delivering for India. His recent fifty in Indore further solidified his credentials.
Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh, in his analysis, unequivocally backed Suryakumar Yadav’s inclusion in the World Cup playing XI. Harbhajan hailed Yadav as the “ace of spades” in India’s World Cup squad and advocated for his name to be the first on the team sheet.
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“Suryakumar Yadav has to play all the matches. I don’t care whom he replaces, but his name should be taken first and then the rest. You have a player who is a pure match winner and can single-handedly make the game one-sided. He is the ace of spades. We have been talking about a finisher…he is the one. He has to play at No. 5 for India,” remarked Harbhajan Singh.
As Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return for the final ODI against Australia, the composition of India’s batting lineup in Rajkot remains a compelling question. With an array of talented middle-order batters vying for limited spots, the team management faces a selection puzzle. As fans eagerly await the decisions that will shape India’s World Cup journey, Suryakumar Yadav’s claim to stardom stands as a compelling narrative amidst the selection drama.
