Aakash Chopra is pondering whether Suryakumar Yadav continually falters in crucial matches. The middleorder batsman was dismissed after a paltry 7 runs off just 8 deliveries in Indias 2024 T20 World Cup showdown against Pakistan.
On Sunday, June 9, India was dismissed for 119 runs after being allowed to bat first in New York. However, the Men in Blue held Babar Azam and his team to 113/7, resulting in a tight six-run victory and a difficult road ahead for their archrivals to qualify for the Super Eights.
On the AakashVani broadcast on Sports18, Chopra discussed India’s batting and remarked that Suryakumar had another setback in a crucial game after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were both bowled cheaply.
“Pakistan asked India to bat first and batting well was difficult. Virat Kohli got out and then Rohit Sharma got out. Rishabh Pant was standing but Suryakumar Yadav got out again, and that’s a question. If you see Suryakumar Yadav’s performance, it’s very good otherwise, but is he struggling a little in big matches?”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener stated that the unusual batter was removed cheaply even in the 2022 T20 World Cup match against Pakistan and the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia.
“It’s actually a big question. It happened against Pakistan in Melbourne, against Pakistan here as well, and then when you see the ODI World Cup final against Australia. Is Suryakumar Yadav unable to seize the big moments?”
Aakash Chopra
Suryakumar’s swift dismissal with a 10ball 15 was soon overshadowed by Kohlis remarkable unbeaten 53ball 82 that secured India a thrilling fourwicket victory over Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup clash in Melbourne. Notably dubbed Mr. 360 Kohli managed to add 18 runs from 28 deliveries during Indias sixwicket defeat to Australia in the previous years ODI World Cup final held in Ahmedabad.
“Shivam Dube’s form is the second big question” – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra believes Shivam Dube’s recent lackluster form is another source of concern for India.
“Shivam Dube’s form is the second big question because when you are 81/3 after 10 overs, and when you lose the fourth wicket at the score of 89, why don’t you score 150? Rishabh Pant was brilliant but then the flurry of wickets, one followed by the other, and when you are unable to play the entire 20 overs, it seemed like advantage Pakistan.”
Aakash Chopra
While noticing that India were bowled out for a low score, the cricketer-turned-commentator stated that Babar Azam’s captaincy helped them get there.
“Babar Azam’s captaincy was thumbs down with both hands because Iftikhar Ahmed came to bowl before Haris Rauf. Haris Rauf’s first over was the ninth over. Naseem Shah picked up a wicket in his first over and then went missing for a long time. You could have clasped India at that stage but you didn’t do that.”
Aakash Chopra
Haris Rauf (3/21) was added to the assault only in the tenth over. Naseem Shah, who finished with statistics of 3/21, was withdrawn from the attack after dismissing Virat Kohli in the second over and did not get the ball until the eighth over.