IND vs AUS Test Series: Suryakumar Yadav to make Test debut, Mr 360 inspects pitch with Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid

IND vs AUS Test Series: Suryakumar Yadav Test debut – Suryakumar Yadav is all set to make his Test debut in Nagpur. The World No.1 T20I batter is getting elevated to the longest format of the game, as India eye a counter-attacking option against spin. Surya’s pyrotechnics have earned him the tag of Mr 360, and Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid are hoping he can bring the same array of shots into the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Follow India vs Australia LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN

Also Read: IND vs AUS Pitch Report: Rahul Dravid UNHAPPY with Nagpur pitch, demands Curator for New Surface 3 days before Border Gavaskar Trophy starts – Check out

IND vs AUS Test Series: India to unleash Suryakumar Yadav on rank turner in Nagpur, Mr 360 has long chat with Rohit, Rahul Dravid, inspects surface ahead of Test Debut – Follow LIVE Updates

Shreyas Iyer is ruled out of the 1st Test and the door of opportunity has come for Suryakumar Yadav. While KL Rahul and Shubman Gill are still in contention for the No.5 slot, it is believed that Surya has pipped his competition. The 31-year-old will make his Test debut on what is expected to be a rank turner in Nagpur. While his selection in the squad itself has stirred up a debate, India has opted for a risk-reward approach with Suryakumar.

Captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid were seen discussing with the middle order at length on Tuesday. Such is his growing influence, the 31-year-old accompanied the Captain-coach duo to inspect the Nagpur pitch. All of these point to a potential debut for the Mumbai star.

Over the last year, Suryakumar Yadav has scooped and swept many a bowler in T20I cricket. He was crowned the ICC T20I player of the year, scoring 3 centuries. While it doesn’t necessarily guarantee success in Tests, India are prepared to take the gamble.

IND vs AUS Test series: Why should Surya make his Test debut?

Suryakumar Yadav has been in fine form in 20-over cricket and was named the ICC T20I Player of the Year.
With Rishabh Pant out, SKY could very well take over the role of a middle-order aggressor.
In his short stint with Mumbai, he scored a couple of quick-fire 90s in the Ranji Trophy.
With Shreyas Iyer also absent, Surya’s natural middle-order spot opens up.
He can put Nathan Lyon and Co under pressure with his unconventional shot-making,

Having lost Rishabh Pant to a long-term injury, the hosts lack ab aggressor in the middle order. On turning surfaces, Rishabh employed a series of scoops and sweeps while running down the wicket many times. Though risky, Pant was highly successful, as suggested by his numbers. India does not have a like-for-like replacement for the injured left-hander, which brings Suryakumar Yadav into the picture.

IND vs AUS Test Series: India to unleash Suryakumar Yadav on rank turner in Nagpur, Mr 360 has long chat with Rohit, Rahul Dravid, inspects surface ahead of Test Debut – Follow LIVE Updates

There is a belief that a player of Suryakumar’s calibre and innovation stands a chance to score more in Nagpur. The likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have particularly practised the sweeps and the reverse sweeps. Shubman Gill also had a long conversation with Dravid trying to pick his brains regarding the same.

“Suryakumar Yadav too can take the game quickly away from the opposition. He has different shots to unsettle an attack. Don’t forget he has over 5000 first-class runs,” BCCI Selector Sridharan Sharath told Sportstar earlier this month.

India squad Australia Series: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav.