India captain Rohit Sharma has defended underperforming white-ball star Suryakumar Yadav, insisting the dynamic batter will be given more time to find form in one-day internationals.
While Suryakumar has been a revelation in the shortest format of the game and was recently named the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year for 2022, the explosive star has yet to match his heroics for his country in 50-over cricket. Suryakumar has passed 50 just twice in 23 ODI appearances and the 32-year-old has made it into double figures on just three occasions in his last 10 innings.
“Yes he got out in the last two games and the series before that as well, but he needs that consistent run, like back-to-back games, 7-8 or 10 games like that, so that he feels more comfortable,” Rohit said after India’s 10-wicket loss to Australia on Sunday.
“Right now, he has got in the place when someone’s been injured or someone’s not available. As management we can look into the performance when you give that consistent run and then you feel that okay, the runs are not coming and (he’s) not looking comfortable.
“Then, we will start thinking about it. Right now, we have not gone that route.”
