Suryakumar is a 'class player,' should've been a part of India team in Australia, says Brian Lara

New Delhi: Former West Indies ace cricketer Brian Lara feels that India should have picked up Suryakumar Yadav for the upcoming series against Australia. Calling him a class player, the legendary cricketer said that he was one of the shining stars of Mumbai Indians and can be credited for most of their successful run chases. 

"Yeah, definitely. He's a class player. I don't just look at players that score runs, I look at their technique, capabilities under pressure, positions that they're batting and for me, Suryakumar Yadav has done such a wonderful job for Mumbai," Lara said while speaking on Star Sports show Cricket Connected.

"He comes to bat on the back of Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock and every time, they are under pressure, he comes in at number three. Just remember, your number batsman, other than the openers, the number three batsman in any cricket team is normally your best player, your most reliable player. And for me, he has been that for Mumbai Indians and I see no reason why, looking at the squad, he can't be a part of it," he added.

Meanwhile, in a recent interview with PTI, Yadav revealed that he was disappointed beyond words when he was  overlooked for the Australia tour as he was expecting some good news this time. However, the cricketer said that his conversation with Rohit helped him to cope up with the distraught.

"Later on he( Rohit Sharma) was like 'I just believed you have been doing a great job for the team right now, and instead of thinking about that (non-selection), you just do the same things what you have been since day one in this IPL," Yadav told PTI. 

"... 'and when the time is right, your opportunity will come, may be today or tomorrow but it will come, you just got to believe in yourself'," he added. 

Meanwhile, the India tour of Australia will begin this Friday with the three-match ODI series that will be followed by three-match T20I series and Border-Gavaskar Trophy.