'Guys with potential will be given some run' - Rohit Sharma backs under-fire Suryakumar Yadav

Team India suffered an embarrassing defeat in the second ODI against Australia after the top-order succumbed to left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc's threat. Indian batting ace Suryakumar Yadav has come under criticism after he was dismissed for a golden duck for a second successive match. However, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has backed his Mumbai Indians teammate to come good in the upcoming matches.

Suryakumar Yadav's T20I exploits have been a revelation for the Men in Blue since his debut in 2021. However, the no.1 T20I batter in the world has failed to replicate the same form in the 50-over format, and the ongoing ODI series against Australia has further highlighted his struggles in ODIs.

Despite his lean run with the bat in the longer format of the game, he has got the backing of his skipper, Rohit Sharma. The Indian opener stated that Suryakumar is well aware of his shortcomings and has got the talent to come good in the 50-over format.

“We don’t know about (Shreyas) Iyer’s return. At this time there is a spot available so we have to play him (Suryakumar). He has obviously shown a lot of potential with white ball and I have said it many times before (that) guys with potential will be given some run. Of course, he knows that he needs to do while in a slightly longer format of the game as well,” Rohit told the media after India’s defeat to Australia in the second ODI.

We can look into the performance when you give them a consistent run: Rohit

Rohit feels that it is necessary for the players to have a consistent run in the team even if they fail in a few matches. Suryakumar Yadav has been a feature of the ODI side due to injury concerns to middle-order batting ace Shreyas Iyer. The Indian skipper explained that the management will only look into a player's performance when they are given a consistent run of games.

“Right now, he has got in the place when someone’s been injured or someone’s not available. As management, we can look into the performance when you give that consistent run and then you feel that okay, the runs are not coming and (he’s) not looking comfortable. Then, we will start thinking about it. Right now, we have not gone that route,” Rohit explained.

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