Courtesy-The Hindustan Times
Former India top selector MSK Prasad feels Mumbai batsman Suryakumar Yadav, 30, can make a significant contribution in the forthcoming limited-overs series in Sri Lanka. India will play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty-Twenty-Innings (T20Is) versus Sri Lanka beginning July 13th. However, with Virat Kohli’s Test team in England, India is poised to send a team of peripheral players to Sri Lanka for the limited-overs series.
As a result, MSK Prasad feels that players like Suryakumar, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson, who have been outstanding in the IPL, might have a significant effect on the series.
Prasad also lauded Delhi Capitals fast bowler Avesh Khan, who has been nominated a standby for the UK tour, and stated that it would be bad if the pacer missed both series.
“Suryakumar Yadav is the one to keep an eye on. Ishan and Sanju, too, have a fantastic chance. I would have liked to see Avesh Khan as well (named standby for the UK tour). He’s been fantastic in the IPL, and it would be a shame to see him miss out on either series,” Prasad stated.
Prasad went on to describe how today’s young athletes distinguish themselves from those from the past. Back then, the talent level was comparable to what we have now. However, the boys’ confidence levels now are five times higher than they were five years ago, according to Prasad.
“Take, for example, Suryakumar Yadav, who gets an opportunity to play in a T20I game and smashes one of the finest bowlers in the world for a six. Or Ishan Kishan, who annihilated the opponents (England) on his debut.” Prasad then made a daring forecast, “I wouldn’t be shocked if this youthful team wins the series in Sri Lanka.”