Can Suryakumar Yadav be India's all-format batter? Decoding stats
Suryakumar Yadav was named India's T20I captain following Gautam Gambhir's appointment as the head coach. The dasher, however, was not a part of India's ODI squad that recently lost 0-2 to Sri Lanka. His solitary Test appearance came in February 2023. Though SKY is mostly known for his T20 heroics, his numbers in other formats are also decent. Here we decode the same.
Why does this story matter?
SKY has been making and breaking T20I records for fun since his debut in the format in March 2021. However, his returns in ODIs are pretty underwhelming. The dasher scored eight runs in his only Test appearance. Despite his ordinary numbers, many reckon the batter should get more opportunities in the other two formats owing to the impact he can inflict.
Solid T20I returns
As per ESPNcricinfo, SKY has hammered 2,432 runs in 71 T20Is at 42.66 (SR: 168.65). The tally includes four centuries and 20 fifties. No other non-opener has more tons in the format. In 2022, SKY became the first Indian cricketer to slam over 1,000 T20I runs in a calendar year. Overall, he boasts 7,605 T20 runs, striking at 152.64.
Paltry ODI numbers
SKY's ODI numbers are way below his standards. He has scored just 773 runs at 25.76 with his strike rate being 105.02 (50s: 4). Nevertheless, he has fared pretty well in List A cricket. As far as his numbers are concerned, he owns 3,627 runs in 139 games at 33.58 (SR: 104.37). He has 21 fifties and three centuries in 50-over cricket.
An average of 43.62 in FC cricket
The 33-year-old debuted in FC cricket back in 2010. He owns 5,628 runs across 82 matches. He averages a healthy 43.62 which highlights his consistency. SKY also owns a strike rate of 63.74. The stylish batter has slammed 14 tons and 29 fifties with 200 being his best score. As mentioned, he scored only eight runs in his only Test appearance, against Australia.
Can SKY return to the ODI squad?
As all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja have been India's designated ODI finishers in recent years, SKY can only eye the middle-order spot in the XI. Notably, Shreyas Iyer has aced the number-four role and SKY has struggled in that position. Hence, the selectors and team management are unlikely to give the latter another go soon.
Are his Test hopes still alive?
The number five spot in India's Test XI is still vulnerable as Iyer was dropped from the Test squad earlier that year. Hence, SKY needs to fight with the likes of KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Ahmed if he aims to don the Indian white jersey again. As he brings impact to the table, he might be considered in the Gambhir era.
