Asia Cup 2025: ‘Let Rinku Singh have a game’ – Former India cricketer slams Suryakumar Yadav for slotting himself at No. 11 vs Oman

Former India cricketer slams Suryakumar Yadav for slotting himself at No. 11 vs Oman. (Photo Source: Debarchan Chatterjee/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

While Suryakumar Yadav was called selfless by many in the cricket fraternity after he slotted himself at No. 11 in the batting order in Friday’s Asia Cup 2025 fixture against Oman at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, former India cricketer Rohan Gavaskar questioned the move.

Suryakumar gave opportunities to the other batters in his side to get some game time ahead of the Super-Four stage of the tournament. Notably, Sanju Samson was promoted to No. 3, and he got himself a half-century. However, Gavaskar feels that if Suryakumar had set his mind on batting at No. 11, he could have given an opportunity to Rinku Singh to have a hit in the middle.

The cricketer-turned-commentator said that Suryakumar could well have opted to skip the match and get himself some rest ahead of the next phase of the tournament.

“What doesn’t register with me is, if Suryakumar Yadav isn’t going to bat clearly because he’s sent Arshdeep, Harshit, and Kuldeep all ahead of him, then he might as well take a rest. Give Rinku a go. You’re not going to bat, you’re not going to contribute with the ball. If that’s the whole thought process, then let Rinku have a game because it’s clear that you don’t want to bat,” Gavaskar said while reacting to Suryakumar’s decision on Cricbuzz.

“If you’re coming behind Arshdeep, Harshit, and Kuldeep, then take a rest, take a break, and that’s absolutely fine. You’ve given Jasprit Bumrah a break, you’ve given Varun a break, and no one would have said anything if you’ve taken a break, fine. You know it’s Oman, and with all due respect, you feel that India’s bench strength should have the goods to beat them. Take a break,” he added.

India posted 188/8 in their 20 overs after opting to bat first. In reply, Oman put up a spirited batting effort before finishing on 167/4. Samson was awarded Player of the Match for his knock of 56 off 45 balls, which comprised three fours and as many sixes.

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