While many in the cricket fraternity praised Suryakumar Yadav for batting at No. 11 in Friday’s Asia Cup 2025 match against Oman at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, former India cricketer Rohan Gavaskar questioned the decision.
Suryakumar allowed his team’s other hitters to acquire some game time before the tournament’s Super-Four round.
Notably, Sanju Samson was promoted to No. 3, and he scored a half-century. However, Gavaskar believes that if Suryakumar had decided to bat at No. 11, he could have offered Rinku Singh an opportunity to hit in the middle.
According to the cricketer-turned-commentator, Suryakumar Yadav should have skipped the match to rest up for the tournament’s next phase.
“What doesn’t register with me is, if Suryakumar Yadav isn’t going to bat clearly because he’s sent Arshdeep, Harshit, and Kuldeep all ahead of him, then he might as well take a rest. Give Rinku a go. You’re not going to bat, you’re not going to contribute with the ball. If that’s the whole thought process, then let Rinku have a game because it’s clear that you don’t want to bat,” Gavaskar said while reacting to Suryakumar’s decision on Cricbuzz.
“If you’re coming behind Arshdeep, Harshit, and Kuldeep, then take a rest, take a break, and that’s absolutely fine. You’ve given Jasprit Bumrah a break, you’ve given Varun a break, and no one would have said anything if you’ve taken a break, fine. You know it’s Oman, and with all due respect, you feel that India’s bench strength should have the goods to beat them. Take a break,” he added.
India posted 188/8 in their 20 overs after opting to bat first. In reply, Oman put up a spirited batting effort before finishing on 167/4. Samson was awarded Player of the Match for his knock of 56 off 45 balls, which comprised three fours and as many sixes.
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