The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named Suryakumar Yadav as the captain for the upcoming five-game T20 International (T20I) series against Australia.
The decision reflects the board’s confidence in Yadav’s experience and exceptional performance in the T20 format.
The squad announcement also highlighted the inclusion of fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who made a late entry into the World Cup squad. Despite the grueling nature of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and its aftermath, the majority of players have been rested for the T20I series. Only three players, namely Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, and Prasidh Krishna, have been selected to represent India in the upcoming series.
Suryakumar Yadav, known for his explosive batting style, will lead the team, showcasing his prowess in the T20I format. His ability to finish innings with a flourish was evident in a recent match where he unleashed his full repertoire of shots, contributing significantly to India’s victory.
However, notable players like Hardik Pandya, who has led the team in recent times, will be absent from the squad due to ongoing recovery from an injury sustained during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup encounter against Bangladesh in Pune.
Jasprit Bumrah, who captained India during his comeback T20I series against Ireland, has also been rested after an intense World Cup campaign. The selectors have prioritized player rest and recovery as they aim to maintain peak performance levels in the T20I series against Australia.
Suryakumar Yadav’s impressive track record in T20Is further justifies his appointment as the captain. With 1841 runs at an average of 46.02 and an impressive strike rate of 172.7, Yadav has proven to be a prolific performer in the shortest format of the game. His three T20I centuries underscore his ability to deliver match-winning performances.
The series against Australia will also witness the return of Axar Patel to the squad. Patel, initially named in the World Cup squad, had to withdraw due to injury, but he is now set to make a comeback, adding depth to the team’s bowling and all-round capabilities.
The selected squad for the T20I series includes: Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dubey, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar.
The series is scheduled to run from November 23 to December 3, providing an exciting opportunity for the selected players to showcase their skills and contribute to India’s success in the T20I format against Australia.
