Suryakumar Yadav is very important for all the formats and in red ball as well: Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has backed Suryakumar Yadav to make his way into the Test team and feels he can be an important player in all formats for India.

Yadav had a brilliant run in 2022 in T20 cricket as he ended the year as the top run-getter in the format and also became the No.1 ranked batter as well.

The 32-year-old will serve as Pandya's deputy in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. Speaking ahead of the first match, as quoted by Indian Express, the India skipper said that he was keen to have Yadav in the Indian team setup from 2020. Pandya said he hopes the right-handed batter can continue his fine run for the team.

“I have said in the past for Surya that he played international cricket late. I was always keen from 2020 for him to be a part of the Indian team. But, unfortunately, he was not. So, God gave him what he did not get in the past. He played late but, yes, he got exactly what he would have got earlier as well,” Pandya



said.

“I can only wish all the best and I hope he continues the run for the Indian team and flourishes more in life and scores more runs. For me and my side, Surya has been fantastic,” said Pandya during a press conference on Monday.

Pandya went onto say that he feels Yadav can become a very important player in Tests as well, given that he can change the momentum and situation when he comes in.

“Going ahead, he is very important for all the formats and I feel in red ball as well. He has the game to kind of change the momentum and the situation if he comes in. I’m sure that the selectors and the captain are looking at him as well.

Pandya said that his deputy is the most important player for the team in white-ball cricket.

“In white ball, everyone knows, I don’t need to tell how important he is. For us, as captain, for the management he is our most important player. We want him to flourish more,”