Ravi Shastri motivates struggling Suryakumar Yadav ahead of DC clash

Flamboyant batter Suryakumar Yadav is currently going through a turbulent period as the Mumbai-born cricketer has scored only 16 runs in two matches so far in IPL 2023. Since Mumbai doesn’t have a lot of experienced batters in the middle order, Suryakumar has to take more responsibility with the bat, as the five-time champions are yet to win a single match in the ongoing season.

Speaking about the same, former India cricketer Ravi Shastri stated the 32-year-old needs to be more patient early on and believes that if he manages to do so, Yadav can once again be the ferocious batter he is known for.

“There’s going to be light at the end of the tunnel, he’s going to be seeing that very soon. And when he sees that, he’s going to grab it and make the most of it. So the advice to him would be just give yourself a little bit of time early on, even though it’s T20 cricket,” Shastri was quoted as saying on ESPNcricinfo ahead of Mumbai’s match against Delhi.

“One good hit and you’re on your way. That’s what he needs – one good hit and a little bit of time at the crease. Not 20-30 minutes, maybe six balls or eight balls, and I think he’d be fine,” Shastri added.

He is the kind of player that can win you a World Cup: Ricky Ponting

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting also backed Yadav earlier and reminded the kind of damage he can do in white-ball cricket. The current head coach of Delhi Capitals also mentioned that he is the kind of player who can help India win the upcoming ODI World Cup.

“Everyone around the world knows what Surya can do in white-ball cricket. They should stick with him, I feel. Because he is, I think, the kind of player that can win you a World Cup,” Ponting said last week.