Suryakumar Yadav could be game changer for India at T20 World Cup 2024: Harbhajan Singh

Team India have started its T20 World Cup 2024 on a winning note by comprehensively defeating Ireland in its first game. India’s next assignment will be the game against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 9 at the Nassau County Stadium in New York. Ahead of India’s next game, Harbhajan Singh has picked Suryakumar Yadav to be the key player for Team India going into the tournament.

Suryakumar played just four deliveries and scored two runs batting at number four against Ireland. The right-handed batter’s form will be crucial for the team as they have been aiming for a solid middle-order batter to accelerate the run rate. Harbhajan highlighted the Sky’s prowess in the T20I format and termed his as a game changer for the Men in Blue in the tournament.

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"As far as I am concerned, I would go in for a great bowler, though I have my own liking towards Suryakumar Yadav. I think he is someone who could be a game changer for India throughout this tournament. Even though, he didn't get going the other day. But Suryakumar Yadav, when he plays those 10 or 15 balls, he will probably score those winning runs for team India. At any position, he will go on to bat, he will play for the team. So, for me, Suryakumar Yadav would be the biggest game changer for team India in this World Cup,” said Harbhajan while speaking at a special ‘Star Sports Press Room’ organised in New York. 

Rishabh Pant has shown that kind of aggressive option in the top order: Balaji

Differing from Harbhajan’s pick, former India pacer, Lakshmipathy Balaji picked Rishabh Pant as the key player for India at the World Cup. Pant has been solid batting up the order for the team. He was sent to bat at number three against Ireland and scored an unbeaten 36 off 26 deliveries on a slow track. He looked in great touch during the practice game against Bangladesh as he notched up a half-century.  

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“For me, as Rishabh Pant has shown, that kind of aggressive option in the top order, that is probably going to little bit take on the opposition with a number of aggressive options. At the same time, Bumrah. For me he is the most important guy because the way he has developed after injury, coming back from injury, back surgery, it's not that easy. He has developed into a next level bowler after injury. That is something which is not that easy. He is going to be a big bowler in the upcoming match,” Balaji added.