Suryakumar Yadav, one of India’s top T20I batters, has offered an honest perspective on his exclusion from the Champions Trophy squad. Despite being a standout performer in T20 cricket, Suryakumar has struggled to make a significant impact in ODIs, which ultimately led to his omission from the three-match series against England and the prestigious Champions Trophy.
Speaking candidly ahead of the five-match T20I series against England, where he is set to lead the Indian team, Suryakumar acknowledged that he failed to capitalize on the opportunities provided to him in the 50-over format. “Why would it hurt? If I perform well, I would have been included in the Champions Trophy. If not, it’s important to accept that fact,” Suryakumar told reporters.
The 33-year-old batter, who has played 37 ODIs, has accumulated 773 runs at an average of 25.76, with a strike rate of 105.02. He was part of India’s 2023 World Cup squad but struggled to make an impact, including a disappointing performance in the final against Australia. Reflecting on his omission, Suryakumar expressed that the current Champions Trophy squad is “really strong,” with all players deserving their spot based on consistent performances in both domestic cricket and international fixtures.
“I am happy for those selected. They’ve performed really well in the format and deserve their place,” he added. Suryakumar emphasized that his exclusion doesn’t upset him, as he understands that selection is based on performance, and if he had delivered better in ODIs, he would have been there.
Earlier, former India cricketer Suresh Raina had expressed surprise over Suryakumar’s exclusion from the Champions Trophy squad, suggesting that his dynamic skills could have added an X-factor to the team.
With the T20I series against England ahead, Suryakumar remains focused on delivering for India in the shortest format and is determined to continue improving his game.