Suryakumar Yadav Confirms Ishan Kishan at No. 3, Downplays His Own Lack of Runs

Suryakumar Yadav has confirmed Ishan Kishan will bat at No. 3 for India in the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, following his impressive domestic performances. Despite concerns about his form, Suryakumar remains confident, emphasising his commitment to his aggressive style of play. As captain, he prioritises team success over personal milestones, focusing on leading India to victory while awaiting his own return to form.

Ishan Kishan to Play at No. 3, Suryakumar Yadav Confirms; Dismisses Concerns Over His Own Form

 Ahead of India’s first T20I against New Zealand in Nagpur, India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, confirmed that Ishan Kishan will take the No. 3 spot in the batting order. Kishan’s inclusion is a strategic decision based on his stellar performances in domestic cricket, particularly his sensational run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

The left-hander from Jharkhand has been in outstanding form, scoring 517 runs in 10 matches, which included two half-centuries and two centuries. One of his centuries came in the tournament final, underlining his ability to perform under pressure. Despite this remarkable form, Kishan hasn’t played for India since November 2023, when he last featured in a T20I series against Australia. With Tilak Varma unavailable for the first three T20Is, India chose to go with the experienced Kishan, who was also part of the World Cup squad.

Suryakumar Yadav's Confidence in Kishan

 Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that Ishan Kishan’s performance in domestic cricket made him the perfect candidate for the No. 3 role. “Ishan will play No. 3 because he has been doing well in domestic cricket,” said Suryakumar. “We have picked him for the World Cup team, and he deserves to play.” This shows the Indian leadership's trust in Kishan's ability, even though he has been out of the international spotlight for a while.

Suryakumar's Struggles at No. 4

 While India has sorted the No. 3 position with Ishan Kishan’s inclusion, the No. 4 spot is still a point of concern, particularly regarding Suryakumar’s own form. The Indian captain has struggled with the bat in recent innings, scoring only 244 runs in his last 22 matches, with a top score of 47. However, Suryakumar remains unfazed and confident about his abilities.

“I have been batting really well,” he said, brushing off concerns about his lack of runs. “The runs will come, but I can’t change the way I play. I don’t want to change my identity.” He remains committed to his aggressive approach, which has been his trademark over the past few years, and is determined to find his rhythm again.

Suryakumar’s Focus on Team Success Over Personal Milestones

 Despite his personal struggles with form, Suryakumar Yadav emphasised the importance of focusing on the team’s success rather than individual achievements. He acknowledged that, as a captain, his primary responsibility is to ensure the team performs well and secures victories. “If I were playing a single sport, I would think more about my performance. But in a team sport, my responsibility is to ensure the team is doing well and winning,” he explained.

Suryakumar’s leadership reflects his belief in team unity. He stresses the importance of everyone stepping up and supporting each other to achieve collective success. "Everyone has to step up, everyone has to do well, and everyone has to be happy for each other," he said, reinforcing his commitment to a cohesive team environment.

Looking Ahead

 As India prepares for their T20I series against New Zealand, all eyes will be on Ishan Kishan’s performance at No. 3. At the same time, Suryakumar Yadav, as the captain, will continue to focus on the overall success of the team, confident that his form will return in due time. The upcoming series will be a crucial opportunity for both players to showcase their skills and contribute to India's success on the international stage.

Also Read: Shreyas Iyer & Ravi Bishnoi Added to India’s T20I Squad vs New Zealand