The announcement of the Team India squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka brought mixed emotions for Suryakumar Yadav. While the talented batsman was undoubtedly thrilled to be named captain for the T20Is, he was also disappointed to learn that he had been dropped from the ODI squad. The selectors, along with new head coach Gautam Gambhir, made it clear that Suryakumar's performance in the ODI World Cup in 2023 did not meet their expectations, leading to his exclusion from the team for the ODIs in Sri Lanka.
Despite being recognized as one of the best T20 batsmen in the world, Suryakumar's performance in the 50-over format has been less impressive. With an average of just 25.76 in the 37 ODI matches he has played, questions have been raised about his ability to pace his innings and build a substantial score.
With only six ODIs left before the ICC Champions Trophy next year, the selectors are keen to explore other options. Reports suggest that Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder Nitish Reddy is being considered for his versatile skill set, which includes both batting and bowling abilities. While Hardik Pandya remains India's top seam-bowling all-rounder in white-ball cricket, he will not be part of the ODI series against Sri Lanka. However, there is a possibility of his return in future assignments.
Similar to India's ODI captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir is known for his meticulous approach to selection decisions. In this regard, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar have emerged as compelling options in white-ball cricket, leading to the exclusion of Ravindra Jadeja.
However, for the upcoming Sri Lanka series, Riyan Parag is a player who may be given an opportunity to showcase his talents. Parag is not only a reliable lower-order batsman but also possesses the ability to contribute with the ball. His consistent performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy highlight his potential as an all-rounder, making him one of the standout performers in recent seasons.
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