In a recent Asia Cup 2025 Group A encounter against Oman, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav made a highly debated choice: he opted not to bat, even as India had lost eight wickets. This unconventional move became a major talking point after India secured a 21-run victory over Oman at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. India had posted 188/8, with Oman finishing at 167/4.
The decision drew immediate reactions, most notably from the Gavaskar family. Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar came to Yadav’s defense during a discussion. He reasoned, “If Suryakumar had batted for even one over, he could have hit a few fours and sixes, which would have been good for him. However, given his recent performance against Pakistan, perhaps he didn’t feel the need for more batting practice. He might have been strategically thinking that Kuldeep Yadav’s batting skills could be valuable if India faced rapid wicket losses in future matches, which could explain why he sent Kuldeep in ahead of himself.”
The veteran cricketer further elaborated on Yadav’s leadership, calling him an “unorthodox thinker.” He highlighted past instances: “We saw in Sri Lanka that he bowled himself and also gave Rinku Singh the ball. He completely turned that game around, snatching victory from a seemingly lost position. He’s truly an innovative captain. This approach likely influenced his decision not to bat himself, sending Kuldeep and Arshdeep Singh out instead.”
However, this strategic praise was met with skepticism from a different corner: Sunil Gavaskar’s son and former India cricketer, Rohan Gavaskar. He openly questioned the rationale behind Suryakumar’s decision. Rohan believed it was an opportunity missed to both rest Suryakumar and give another promising player a chance.
Rohan expressed his concerns: “What I can’t quite grasp is this: if Suryakumar Yadav isn’t planning to bat, clearly indicated by sending Arshdeep, Harshit, and Kuldeep all before him, then he might as well take a proper rest. Why not give Rinku Singh a chance? If the entire thought process is that you won’t bat and you won’t contribute with the ball, then let Rinku get some game time.”
Despite the contrasting opinions, the debate underscores Suryakumar Yadav’s reputation as a captain willing to take bold, calculated risks for the team’s long-term strategy. His unorthodox choices continue to keep cricket pundits and fans alike engaged.