AUS vs IND: Team India selectors looking for white-ball finishers

With Team India set for a return to international cricket, the national selectors have plenty of thinking to do, especially surrounding the side’s batting armoury. As they get set to pick the limited-overs squads for the tour of Australia later this year, the main focus would be to pick a player, who could finish games for the team with his power-hitting capabilities.

From that perspective, it’s learned that Suryakumar Yadav is set for his maiden call-up to the national team. Surya is currently a part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Batting in the middle-order, the right-hander hasn’t disappointed, having played a few match-winning knocks for Rohit Sharma and Co.

Former national chief selector MSK Prasad also reckons that Surya deserves a chance. He also said that Rishabh Pant’s inconsistent run has complicated things to some extent if not a whole lot.

“Surya has been performing consistently for the last three years. Had Rishabh Pant been performing consistently down the order, then a lot of problems would have been solved. But with Rahul grabbing his opportunities as a wicketkeeper, it may open the door for Suryakumar,” Prasad was quoted as saying to The Times of India (TOI).

As per Prasad, Sanju Samson should be given a longer run to show his mettle at the highest level. He spoke in favour of Shubman Gill as well. “Sanju was played in the last T20I series in New Zealand. He should be given a longer run. But both Sanju and Shubman will have to bat at the top of the order,” he stated.

India straining for an all-rounder

Team India are also scratching their heads regarding the all-rounder’s slot. With Hardik Pandya not bowling after recovering from his back injury, it has made the team management think quite a bit.

“It may be noted that he bowled very little in the last IPL before the World Cup. It could be that he has been asked to preserve himself or India duties. He could go to Australia as a late middle-order batsman, but his bowling adds the edge,” said the source.

Prasad also claimed that the likes of Shivam Dube and Vijay Shankar are more than handy with the bat, but their bowling hasn’t become effective enough.