In the first game of the five-game series with Australia, Suryakumar Yadav stepped up as India’s 13th T20I captain. Since taking up this role, the expert batsman is sailing smoothly.
Suryakumar has guided his initial successful series as a leader, India now has an unbeatable 3-1 lead with a lone match left. He grabbed the Player of the Match award with his dazzling performance in the first T20I and exhibited noteworthy batting throughout.
Suryakumar’s journey has been fun till now. The last match of the series is a chance for him. It will happen Sunday, December 3. He could relax a little then. Many reasons hint a good next step. The fill-in leader should perhaps take a break in Bengaluru.
Here are three reasons why Suryakumar Yadav should be rested for India’s fifth T20I against Australia.
1. The Series is Already Won
As previously stated, India has already won the five-match series against Australia. And, with the visitors far from full strength, the Men in Blue have little need to remain with their strongest XI.
Suryakumar is perhaps India’s most significant T20I hitter, but he can afford to sit out the game because there is nothing at stake. In the past, India has frequently emphasized very insignificant bilateral series and has been hesitant to implement changes until earning victory.
After correcting that tendency with four changes in the last game, the club management will do well to continue in the same spirit and make difficult decisions.
2. Suryakumar Yadav is Struggling with Workload Issues
Suryakumar Yadav entered the playing XI when Hardik Pandya suffered an ankle injury in the first part of the 2023 World Cup. While he didn’t have a fantastic tournament with the bat, he played in all of the side’s remaining games.
Suryakumar would have been fatigued both emotionally and physically after India’s busy World Cup travel itinerary. However, while most of his teammates were on vacation, he promptly began the current T20I series against Australia as captain.
Suryakumar’s workload has been heavy recently, and despite not being included to the ODI and Test squads for the South Africa tour, he may need a break. The T20Is against the Proteas are in less than a week, and the batter must stay fresh.
3. Tilak Varma Deserves a Chance in the Indian Squad
India presently has three middle-order batsmen on the bench: Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, and Tilak Varma. While Ishan Kishan has a lengthy tour of South Africa ahead of him and is unlikely to play in the last T20I, Dube and Tilak would relish the opportunity.
The only way India can allow all of their middle-order hitters an opportunity to shine is to dismiss Suryakumar, who is currently occupying one of the places. If SKY is unable to play, Dube or Tilak might step in. If the hosts want to think outside the box, Washington Sundar might make an appearance, with Axar Patel perhaps receiving a promotion and spending some time in the center.
Shreyas Iyer is more than capable of guiding the team, and Suryakumar’s absence for the fifth T20I might fill several roles.
