Former India cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar has called for the inclusion of Suryakumar Yadav in the playing XI after England thrashed India by an innings and 76 runs in the third Test at Headingley, Leeds to level the five-match series 1-1. India suffered a dramatic batting collapse on Day 4 of the Test match as they were bundled out for 278 in their second innings, trailing the hosts by 77 runs.
Resuming their innings from 215/2 on Day 4, India lost as many as eight wickets inside 63 runs to get bundled out for 278 at Headingley. Indian batting line-up faltered under pressure as the likes of Ajinkya Rahane (10), Rishabh Pant (1) disappointed once again. A lot was expected from the pair of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara after their brilliant stand on Day 3. However, the duo departed cheaply early on Day 4 to leave India in tatters.
India has so far played four pacers and six pure batsmen with Ravindra Jadeja as the only all-rounder in the XI, however, Vengsarkar believes Kohli & Co. should include an extra batsman in the form of Yadav to strengthen their chances of winning the series. Yadav, who is yet to make his Test debut for India, has been in sublime form in white-ball cricket.
“I don’t like to sound as if it’s a knee-jerk reaction but I firmly believe we need to strengthen our batting line-up by including Suryakumar Yadav ahead of Hanuma Vihari. We should drop a bowler and go in with six batsmen,” Vengsarkar was quoted as saying by PTI.
Yadav, who has been performing consistently well in the domestic circuit, averages over 44 in first-class cricket and has so far notched up 124, and 139 runs respectively in three ODIs and four T20Is. Vengsarkar believes the stylish right-hander can match any batsman in the Indian squad in terms of skills.
“Surya can match (in terms of skills) with the best in this Indian team and since he’s around for some time now he should be included before it’s too late,” Vengsarkar said.
England levelled the five-match series 1-1 with their dominating win in the third Test at Leeds. The two teams will now lock horns in the fourth Test of the series at Kennington Oval from September 02 (Thursday).
