Suryakumar Yadav is at the top in T20Is, how can he not score runs in ODIs: Saba Karim

Former India selector Saba Karim shared his view on Suryakumar Yadav’s lean patch in the One-Day format in the ongoing three-match series against Australia. His statements came after Suryakumar was dismissed on the first ball for the second consecutive time at the hands of Mitchell Starc in the second ODI.

Notably, the visitors got on level terms, 1-1, in the three-match series following their dominating 10-wicket win against India in Visakhapatnam. India’s batting collapse included flamboyant batter Suryakumar heading back to pavilion for a nought. Unable to open his run-tally against the Aussies, Saba Karim provided his verdict as he was baffled with the batter’s exceptional form in T20Is not replicating in ODIs.

"The team management sees Suryakumar Yadav as an option for Shreyas Iyer. I am sure that Iyer will return and be India's No. 4 at the World Cup because he has done really well in that position. Suryakumar is a mystery at the moment. He is at the top in T20Is, how can he not score runs in ODIs? This is why I feel Rohit Sharma wants to give him a few more chances," Karim told India News Sports.

We can consider Sanju Samson as an option: Saba Karim

Notably, the Mumbai-born talismanic right-hander has an underwhelming average of 25.47 with 433 runs and only two fifties under his belt in ODIs. Assessing on the middle-order conundrum, Karim further added that keeper-batter Sanju Samson could be a viable option at the no. 4 spot. 

"What other options do we have for the No.4 spot? Sarfaraz Ahmed and Rajat Patidar come to mind, but they are both injured at the moment. We can consider Sanju Samson as an option. It is very important to have a few options ready. But we don't know if he is fit or not," he added.

Sanju Samson last featured for India in a T20I match against Sri Lanka in January wherein he sustained a knee injury while fielding during the series opener. Meanwhile, the Men in Blue lock horns with the Aussies in the third and final ODI match on March 22 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.