Xtra Time Web Desk: No. 1 T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav on Tuesday acknowledged his underwhelming performance in the ODI format. Despite his success in T20s, Yadav admitted that his ODI numbers for India have been lacklustre, showing no hesitation in acknowledging his struggles as the ODI World Cup 2023 looms.
In the third T20 match against the West Indies, Yadav exhibited his prowess with a splendid 83 off 44 balls, orchestrating a seven-wicket victory for India. This remarkable performance earned him the well-deserved man of the match title.
However, Yadav’s ODI journey paints a different picture. During the ODI series against the West Indies, he managed scores of 19, 24, and 35 in the three games, reflecting his struggle to establish a strong foothold in the 50-over format. With a total of 511 runs in 26 ODIs, he maintains an average of 24.33, which pales in comparison to his remarkable T20 career.
Yadav’s struggles have been particularly evident in 2023, where he averaged just 14 runs per game across ten ODIs. While his T20 performances have been outstanding, he acknowledges his shortcomings in ODIs and seems determined to rectify them as the ODI World Cup approaches.
Yadav’s open acknowledgment of his ODI struggles displays his commitment to improvement. With his exceptional T20 skills and newfound determination, he aims to rise above his ODI challenges and contribute significantly to India’s success in the upcoming World Cup.
“My performance in ODIs has been very poor, and recognizing that fact is not shameful. Being truthful is crucial. You haven’t played this format much, according to Rohit and Rahul, so you should give it some thought. If you are batting in the final 15 to 18 overs, we want you to play 45 to 50 balls, and you bat accordingly,” Surya said during the post-match press conference.
He added, “Now it’s up to me to figure out how to make this duty into an opportunity and how to help the team succeed. I am now trying to follow and apply what the team management has told me regarding ODI cricket, which is to take my time before playing my game.”