Wasim Jaffer says Suryakumar Yadav’s numbers while leading India is a worry ahead of Asia Cup

Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer feels Suryakumar Yadav’s numbers while leading India is a worry ahead of the Asia Cup. Yadav could only manage 28 runs in five T20Is against England at an average of 5.60 and a strike rate of 116.66 and thus failed to lead from the front.

SKY has led in 15 T20Is after taking over the captaincy baton from Rohit Sharma. The Indian captain has scored 258 runs in these matches at an average of 17.2.

“His numbers dropping (while leading India) is a worry. Him not getting the runs is a concern. In the last few internationals he played, he was looking to score mostly behind square on the leg side. His shot selection was not up to the mark. But he has since worked on his game, and as we saw, he was a completely different player in the IPL. He started scoring on the offside as well. When Suryakumar Yadav plays shots all around the wicket, there’s not much the bowlers can do. He is very dangerous. Then there isn’t margin for the bowlers. He has done well in the IPL; hopefully, that should continue,” Wasim Jaffer told the Times of India.

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill has been appointed as T20I vice-captain and he has tipped to lead India across all formats. Jaffer said Gill’s appointment to leadership is not a threat to SKY’s T20I captaincy.

“Every tour, every series, you have a vice-captain. It doesn’t mean the captain is under threat. Selectors have made it clear — Bumrah can’t play every series, so he’s out. Hardik? They’re not looking at him for now. That leaves Shubman and maybe Shreyas when he’s back. “On the contrary, experienced heads like Hardik, Bumrah, and Shubman will only help in crunch moments. But at the end of the day, Surya must make the tough calls,” Wasim Jaffer said.

India will open their campaign against the UAE at the Dubai International Stadium on September 10.