A week ago Suryakumar Yadav disguised himself as a cameraman and went about interviewing cricket fans on Mumbai’s Marine Drive about India’s World Cup campaign.
One common thread which emerged from the conversation was that Mr 360-degree, as Surya is often referred to for his pyrotechnics, should bat higher up the order to replicate his T20 form in the 50-over format.
Surya, the No.1 batter in T20Is, was never assured of a place in the squad for the quadrennial showpiece event because his daredevilry, whereby he tries to exploit the hitherto unexplored areas on the field with his flexible wrists, often led to his downfall.
Besides struggling to pace his innings, he has also been troubled by incoming deliveries. His failure to play certain balls with soft hands also resulted in his inability to put a price on his wicket.
But it was his talent to make an impact which finally prompted the team management to include him. He was being looked as a finisher who could bat at No.6 though making it to the playing XI was tough since Hardik Pandya and five specialist bowlers were the preferred choice.
There were though calls to include him, come what may. Harbhajan Singh strongly recommended Surya in the starting XI since he was a “complete player” and could do “what even Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can’t”.
“Because what he does it’s a difficult job, batting at (No.) 5-6. What (MS) Dhoni has done, what Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh) has done,” Harbhajan said.
Pandya’s injury has opened a window of opportunity for Surya and how he responds to every situation could go a long way in charting India’s journey in the business end of the tournament.
If he can control his instincts of playing too many shots in too little time, he can help India tide over the middle overs. He can find the gaps as was evident during his 49 off 47 balls against England in Lucknow when his crucial role in the death overs provided the innings momentum.
He has the ability to play a match-winning innings and puts pressure on the bowlers. Rahul Dravid too has realised his potential now that Pandya has been ruled out.
“You’ve got to keep evolving... He’s also realising that maybe at times you can give yourself a little bit more time to settle in. And then you know how dangerous he can be at the death,” Dravid said before the South Africa match at Eden Gardens.
“We had set a really good platform (in Mumbai)... And he could almost go from ball one. It didn’t kind of work out,” the head coach said of Surya’s 12 off nine balls against Sri Lanka.
At the Eden too, he fell for 22 off 14 and wasted another opportunity. It will be all about showing some patience and playing in front of the wicket rather than chancing his arm behind or square of the wicket as is his wont in T20s.
The next three matches will be crucial for Team India and Surya has the ability to provide the impetus in the end overs.
