'There are other batsmen': Ravi Shastri provides his analysis on Suryakumar's ODI struggle

According to former Indian head coach, Ravi Shastri, Suryakumar Yadav needs to give himself more time in the 50-over format while maintaining his T20 batting strategy. The Indian management believes the destructive hitter is a potential match-winner despite his absences from ODIs and has included him in the initial 15-man World Cup roster. The World Cup is scheduled to begin from October 5, 2023.

3 things you need to know

• Suryakumar Yadav is a part of the provisional squad for the World Cup
• The ICC ODI World Cup will start from October 5, 2023
• Team India will play against Australia before the World Cup

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Ravi Shastri on how Surya can change the tide

Surya is the top-ranked batter in the T20 rankings, but he struggles mightily in the ODI format. With two half-centuries, the 33-year-old has only amassed 537 runs in 27 games, at a miserable average of 24.40. The Indian management believes the destructive hitter is a potential match-winner despite his absences from ODIs and has included him in the initial 15-man World Cup roster.

In an interview with Fox Cricket, Shastri outlined the strategy Suryakumar Yadav should use in ODIs. "If I were to speak to him, I’d tell him just keep it simple. Just remember you’ve got a little more time on your hands when it comes to 50-over cricket. You don’t have to change too much. You still keep it simple, like how you approach T20 cricket," said Shastri.

Shastri believes that by giving himself more time to find the right tempo, Surya could pull off victories on his own. "In 50-over cricket, give yourself an extra five balls, you’re allowed to, but don’t change anything else. Keep that tempo going; there are other batsmen around you who can do the job. If you pull it off, play 40-50 balls, you might just win the game on your own," added Shastri.

Given that many key players will be rested in the first two ODIs against Australia, Surya should play in the series to justify his World Cup selection. In a forgettable ODI series against the same opponent earlier in the year, the Mumbai Indians (MI) player recorded a hat-trick of golden ducks. The first one-day international of the series between India and Australia will start on Friday, October 22 at Mohali.

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Team India squad for Australia series

India ODI squad for first two matches

India squad for first two matches: KL Rahul (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja (Vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

India ODI squad for third and final ODI

Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya, (Vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel*, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj.