Ahead of their ODI World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh in Pune, India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey heaped praise on Suryakumar Yadav and his 360-degree shot-making skills but admitted that is difficult for the stylish batter to feature in the playing XI for time being.
The Rohit Sharma led side has been absolutely clinical with their performance and registered victories against Australia, Afghanistan and Pakistan in the ongoing World Cup so far to stay at the top of the points table.
In all three matches, Suryakumar didn’t manage to find a place in the Indian playing XI and it seems he will have to sit out against Bangladesh on Thursday as well.
“Surya is a champion, he is a match-winner for you. He has shown (it) to you. He is a difficult batsman to bowl anywhere, look at the fine leg area (and) you need to get it covered, you look at third man (and) you need to get it covered. You bring covers up and he starts hitting out there. He is a 360 (degree) player,” Mhambrey said during the pre-match press conference.
“It is a difficult decision, like Ashwin, like Shami. Surya is a quality player, (but) it is difficult to get someone like him.You need to create an opportunity for him to play, but the question then (gets) asked is whom do you replace him with? We do not have a slot for him right now but we all know what he brings to the table. If an opportunity arises, he will get his game,” he added.
Asked about Ravichandran Ashwin, who was dropped from the team after the opening game against Australia in Chennai, the bowling coach said that the veteran spinner is a perfect team man.
“He (Ashwin) has been a great lad, he understands that, he is a great team guy. I have never seen him grumpy, I have never seen him complaining at any time in any of the last few years that he has been with us,” said Mhambrey.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh will also look to bounce back in Pune after suffering back-to-back resounding losses in the last two matches.
The Shakib Al Hasan-led team has a number of experienced names, many all-round options such as Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shakib, Mahmudullah. Overall, they have all the ingredients to spring a surprise on India.
