T20 World Cup | 'Abhishek ki jagah khilau?': Suryakumar Yadav rules out changes in India's top three

Ahmedabad, February 21: India captain Suryakumar Yadav laughed off suggestions that Sanju Samson could break into the top three for Saturday’s Super Eight meeting with South Africa, insisting the side that has scraped through the group stage will be retained at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

“Matlab Abhishek ki jagah khilau? (Should I play him instead of Abhishek?)” Surya shot back when the possibility was floated in the pre-match interaction, the incredulity in his voice underlining that neither the out-of-sync Abhishek Sharma nor the conservatively-paced Tilak Varma is in any immediate danger of being benched.

Social-media chatter had gone into overdrive after Samson’s extended net session on Thursday, but the skipper said every member of the 15-man squad had batted for more than four hours in what was a routine dress-rehearsal rather than a selection trial. “It’s going well in the power play. We’re making 50-40 runs. That’s normal cricket,” Surya said, defending a tournament start that has seen India stumble to 2-1 without yet clicking into the 220-plus gear many expected on home soil.

“The four wickets we have played on so far were a little different and challenging. Off-spinners were not bowling earlier but are now. We have started preparation for that and hopefully we will tackle it as we start our Super Eight journey.”

Concerns over Abhishek, who is yet to get off the mark in three innings, have dominated headlines, but the captain turned the spotlight on the bowlers who will eventually face the 22-year-old phenom. “I worry for the people who are worried about Abhishek’s form,” he said with a grin. “When he scores a run, you have seen what happens. Last year he covered for us, now we will cover for him.”

The bigger tactical talking-point has been India’s middle-overs crawl. Tilak Varma, frozen at No. 3 since the new T20I cycle began, has 106 runs in four innings but at a strike-rate of only 120.45. Surya revealed the game-plan demands exactly that restraint once a second wicket falls. “He has to take a little bit of backseat, get a partnership again, get to the 10th over and then we have enough firepower,” he explained, adding that Tilak has spent extra time in the nets honing the finishing skills that will be unleashed in the death overs.

Flexibility, the captain stressed, applies to positions four through eight, not the top three. If India’s openers survive deep into the eighth over, the lower middle order could be shuffled dramatically. “There might be a point where you see Shivam Dube walking in or even a Hardik (Pandya) walking in if there is a proper match-up,” Surya disclosed, signalling that the composition of the finishing quartet will be dictated by in-game situations rather than a pre-printed batting card.

Under the unforgiving Ahmedabad sun, Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh were put through additional power-hitting drills while Kuldeep Yadav’s every slog swept drew raucous cheers from team-mates lounging under umbrellas. The relaxed mood suggested a dressing-room convinced its blueprint, however debated outside, remains intact.

India will hope that faith in a tried—if not yet triumphant—top three is rewarded when the Super Eight campaign ignites on Saturday evening.