"He hasn't done anything," Virender Sehwag launches scathing attack on Indian batsman ahead of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag spoke on Suryakumar Yadav's inclusion in India XI for World Cup 2023.

Suryakumar Yadav’s inclusion in India’s ICC World Cup 2023 15-member squad has been an issue of contention. Former India opener Virender Sehwag shared his thoughts on Suryakumar’s inclusion as well, pointing out one major issue.

What will be India's middle-order line-up appears to be the lone selection conundrum, specifically relating to the playing XI, that has disturbed most veterans and experts and occupied the space in every talk show. As competition between Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan has heated up, each player has firmly shown their value to the squad.

Iyer and Suryakumar were two of the last players to qualify for World Cup, Iyer hit a brilliant century against Australia in the second ODI, and Suryakumar slammed back-to-back fifties in the series, the second of which was a career-best 72*, scoring off just 37 balls.

Ishan proved his worth with a fourth consecutive fifty in Asia Cup tie against Pakistan, en-route to a stunning 82, which came after an early top-order collapse.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Sehwag opened up that Iyer has confirmed his spot as No. 4, forming the middle-order line-up with Rahul at No. 5 and Hardik at No. 6. This leaves no space for Suryakumar Yadav in the Indian XI.

“At No. 6 and 7 KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya will be there. So Suryakumar won't be there at either of those positions. There is No. 5 though. But if Hardik Pandya is your sixth bowler then Rahul will bat at No. 5, and Hardik at No. 6, then comes the bowlers. We thought Ishan Kishan could fit in somewhere in the line-up, but that hundred which Shreyas Iyer scored, if he plays at No. 4 then it will be Iyer, Rahul and Hardik at No. 4, 5 and 6 respectively,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.

However, Sehwag brought up the issue of Hardik's bowling ability to bowl 10 overs for India, stating that it will be crucial in determining who India's middle-order will be. Ishan should be chosen ahead of Suryakumar if a spot does become available, he continued, due to his left-handed skills.

“Now it depends on how India look at this combination, whether they feel Hardik will certainly bowl 10 overs because that will give India an extra bowler. So then Suryakumar cannot fit in there and even if there is a slot, then Ishan should be picked ahead because he is a left-hander which had happened in Asia Cup,” he added.

'Suryakumar will have to wait'- Virender Sehwag

Sehwag questioned Suryakumar Yadav’s place in Indian ODI team. The former India opener said that the batter hasn't yet shown his true abilities in the format. He further added that in order to stake a claim in the Indian XI for World Cup, Suryakumar will need to score a big hundred in the two warm-up matches.

“Suryakumar hasn't done anything big yet in ODI cricket. He only bats in those final 15-20 overs where he utilises his T20 abilities which undoubtedly is important as well. But Hardik, Ishan and Rahul can all do that same job as well. So Iyer is confirmed for No. 4. Suraykumar will have to wait and if he does get a chance at No. 4 he has to score a big hundred and show that he can also score a ton as well,” he said.

India will play England on September 30 in their first warm-up match in Guwahati.