'It amazes me' - Gautam Gambhir slams Virat Kohli for dropping Suryakumar Yadav

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has slammed Virat Kohli for dropping Suryakumar Yadav from the playing eleven for the third T20I against England. Along with Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar made his T20I debut during the second game. But unlike Kishan, Suryakumar did not get the chance to impress with the bat on his debut.

While Kishan made the most of the opportunity by blasting a whirlwind fifty, Suryakumar did not get the chance to bat. As if that was not enough, Suryakumar faced another setback on Tuesday when he was dropped from the playing eleven for the third game. The right-handed batsman had to make way for his IPL captain Rohit Sharma who was rested for the first two games.

The decision to drop Suryakumar invited severe criticism for the Indian team management. Before the start of the game, it was widely expected that under-performing KL Rahul would make way for Rohit. However, Team India stuck with the opener and decided to bench Suryakumar even though he didn’t get a chance to bat.

At least look at someone whom you have got into the setup: Gautam Gambhir

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Gautam Gambhir expressed his astonishment at Kohli’s decision to bench Suryakumar in the third T20I. Gambhir advised the team-management to ‘at least look at someone’ who is in the setup. The former India star urged the team-management to give Suryakumar at least 3-4 games before taking a decision on his place in the team.

“It amazes me, seven months before the World Cup he starts preparing for World Cup and probably after the World Cup he will start preparing for the next World Cup. It really doesn’t matter, the kind of form you are in matters. Imagine if there is an injury issue, what have you seen of Suryakumar Yadav, what have you seen of Suryakumar Yadav in international cricket. I hope nobody gets injured but if there is an injury case and somebody needs to bat at number 4 and number 5. For example, there has to be a replacement for Shreyas Iyer, who are you gonna go for,” said Gautam Gambhir.

“So at least look at someone whom you have got into the setup. Probably give him that ‘opportunity in three or four games and see where he stands. If he delivers, you have got a backup for someone already batting at number four. If you get someone play him in that series and see what he is giving in the future. We keep talking about preparations but this is just no preparation for the World Cup. It’s just about looking at the same players what you have seen for so many years,” Gambhir added.