‘Shreyas Iyer will be my pick ahead of Suryakumar Yadav’ – VVS Laxman ahead of India’s ODI series against England

VVS Laxman, the former Indian cricketer, reckons that Shreyas Iyer should be picked ahead of Suryakumar Yadav for the Men in Blue’s upcoming ODI series against England. Both Iyer and Yadav had impressive campaigns in the T20I series and made use of the chances they got. Even as Laxman found it tough to choose between the two, he zeroed in on Iyer for the ODIs.

The 26-year-old Iyer was India’s second-highest run-scorer in the T20Is with 121 runs from five matches at an average of 40.33. In the first game in Ahmedabad, he scored 67, though it came in a losing cause.

Even in ODIs, Iyer averages in the 40s and has been an answer to the long-standing problem for the number four slot. Laxman feels that Iyer should trump Suryakumar Yadav as far as experience is concerned.

We cannot really discount Shreyas Iyer’s performance: VVS Laxman

“I think it is very difficult to just choose one among both, Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer, because what really interests me was the way Shreyas Iyer batted at No. 6. He batted with authority, conviction and just understood the situation and played his shots right from the word go. Because we know that he is ideally suited for No. 4,” Laxman told.

Laxman accepted that Yadav has done well for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and in the opportunities, he got for India. But Laxman also said that Iyer’s performances can’t be overlooked.

“Suryakumar is also someone who has got the talent, but with experience, I feel Shreyas Iyer will be my pick ahead of him. Because we just can’t rely on one or two innings and we cannot really discount Shreyas Iyer’s performances in international cricket.

“Yes, Yadav has done really well for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, but Shreyas Iyer has been very consistent in whatever opportunities he got at the highest level. So, I will always choose Shreyas Iyer to do that role,” Laxman added.

Yadav made his international debut in the second T20I against England and scored his maiden half-century in the fourth game of the series. The three-match ODI series begins on Tuesday, March 23 in Pune.