'There are lots of people to bowl' - Suryakumar Yadav not worried about sixth bowling option ahead of SA series

India will take on South Africa in the first game of the three-match T20I series on Sunday, December 10 at Kingsmead, Durban. The series will be the penultimate hurdle for India in the roadmap to T20 World Cup 2024. Suryakumar Yadav has been once again entrusted to lead the side in the absence of injured Hardik Pandya.

Ever since the injury to the all-rounder, India have been struggling to find a sixth bowling option which was evident in the recent five-match series vs Australia. All-rounder Shivam Dube, who was a part of the last T20I series against Australia, is also not a part of the upcoming series.

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However, captain Suryakumar Yadav feels that the team has enough bowling options which they will unveil at the right time.

"We do have a sixth-bowling option. There are lots of people to bowl. When the time is right, you will see. Not just six, there could be seven or eight too,” Suryakumar Yadav was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Further speaking ahead, Suryakumar expressed concerns at the limited number of T20Is ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, India will play just one more series against Afghanistan in January ahead of the World Cup. However, according to the Mumbai-born batter, India will not have any problem in selecting the squad for the World Cup as everyone knows their roles and responsibilities.

There are limited T20s going forward, before the T20 World Cup: Suryakumar Yadav

"I feel there are limited T20s going forward, before the T20 World Cup, but then we play 14 league games in the IPL as well. And players who have been playing in these T20 internationals... they've played a lot of games, and they have a lot of experience under their belt. So, we don't think there will be an issue or any problem in selecting the squad because everyone knows their roles really well and responsibilities really well - [like] how to play in different situations,” he added.

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Meanwhile, India will look to continue their brilliant record against South Africa as they’ve won three out of the four series played between the two teams in the Rainbow Nation. Captain Suryakumar Yadav will be eager to win his second consecutive series having been recently handed the captaincy duties in the absence of Hardik Pandya.