Yadav’s 51-run inning was well-timed, coming just two weeks before India kicks off its World Cup campaign. Previously, he had been struggling in ODIs, averaging around 12 despite consistently performing in T20 cricket.

The decision to give him a continued run in the team this year was a bold move, propelled by an injury to Shreyas Iyer. India’s head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma had stood firmly behind Yadav, encouraging his transition from a T20 specialist to an ODI player.

While his fifty was crucial in India’s chase of 276 runs against Australia, securing the win with eight balls to spare, it has ignited debate over his placement in the World Cup lineup. Cricketing legend Gautam Gambhir commented on the situation. He mentioned that if Yadav is considered a first-choice player for the mega event, he should ideally bat at the No. 7 position. However, Gambhir warned that such a move would be risky, necessitating Ravindra Jadeja to bat at No. 5, thus piling more pressure on the top four batsmen.

“When you go for a World Cup, you generally have a fixed playing XI. You don’t chop or change. Remember the 2011 World Cup, we hardly made any changes. Yusuf Pathan played 5-6 matches at the start and then it was Suresh Raina,” Gambhir told Star Sports.

“If Suryakumar Yadav is in your first playing XI then I would want him to bat at 6-7, but the big question will then be who will bat at No. 5. Then Jadeja can bat at No. 5, Hardik at 6 and Suryakumar as finisher where he can bat in the final 15-20 overs,” he added.

“But, it will be a huge gamble deciding whether you want Jadeja at No. 5 and Suryakumar, in the form that he is in ODI cricket, at No. 7. This would put a lot of responsibility on the top four,” he said.

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Updated: 24 Sep 2023, 12:45 PM IST