“I would start with him at No.6…..- Ex- India cricketer Wasim Jaffer on star India player’s batting position in 50-over format

Former India cricketer turned analyst Wasim Jaffer reckons that Indian star batter Suryakumar Yadav needs to bat lower in the lineup as he may trouble the bowling attack at the end of the innings. Notably, team India won the first ODI by five wickets against the West Indies in Barbados, but the stylish batter was not able to make a mark with the bat. The right-handed batter just scored 19 runs from 25 balls with a strike rate of 76 after being sent to third.

The former batting legend believes that Suryakumar should bat at 6 in the ODIs over number 3 or 4 to play the last few overs of the match like he does in T20Is. The 45-year-old cricketer further assessed that number 3 or 4 for Suryakumar Yadav is too early to bat in the 50-over format.

“In my opinion, the best position for him in ODIs are No.5 and No.6. I would start with him at No.6 in the first ODI. Once he gets going there…because that’s how he plays in T20 cricket also, he bats at No.3 or No.4, but the overs are a little shorter. So, once he gets the hang of it in ODIs, I think No.4 is a little too early for him. If he starts scoring, then I would think of him moving up the order at No.5, or even further,” Jaffer said on ESPNCricinfo.

I feel Sanju might get the opportunity first in this series: Jaffer

Following this, the former Team India opener also predicted that Sanju Samson would get the chance over Ishan Kishan, as Team India already has Rohit and Gill as openers. Notably, it was Ishan Kishan who got selected for the first ODI in the playing XI.

“It could be both of them (Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson). That’s the test they are going to face up until the World Cup team is going to get selected. For Sanju Samson, I feel he might get the opportunity first in this series, and it’s huge games leading up to the World Cup for him,” he added further.