Suryakumar Yadav on Champions Trophy snub: 'I wasn't expecting to make the cut, so it didn't hurt'

Suryakumar Yadav has proven himself to be a formidable T20I batter, but unfortunately, he failed to impress in the ODI format. As a result, it came as no shock when he was left out of the squad for both the upcoming series against England and the Champions Trophy. In a candid statement on Tuesday, Yadav acknowledged his shortcomings, confessing that he had not been able to make the most of the opportunities presented to him in the 50-over format. He accepted full responsibility for his performance, acknowledging that he had only himself to blame for missing out on the chance to represent his country in ODIs.

Suryakumar Yadav has played 37 ODIs, scoring 773 runs at an average of 25.76 and a strike rate of 105.02. He was a part of India's 2023 ODI World Cup squad. However, he was unable to get going and even disappointed in the final against Australia.

Ahead of the five-match T20I series against England, in which Suryakumar Yadav will lead India, the batter was asked about his thoughts on not being in the squad for the Champions Trophy.

"Why would it hurt? If I do well, I would have been in the Champions Trophy. If I don't do well, it's important to accept that. And at the same time, if you see the Champions Trophy squad, it's looking really good. Whoever is there, they are all good performers," Suryakumar Yadav told reporters ahead of the first T20I.

"They have done relatively well in that format for India and also playing domestic cricket and I am very happy for them. It hurts to think that I have not done well. And if I had done well, I would have stayed there. If I haven't done well, someone who deserves to have done really well, deserves to be there," he added.

'Surprised with Surya's exclusion'

Earlier, former India batter Suresh Raina had backed Suryakumar Yadav, making a case for his selection in the ODI squad. Speaking a day after India's squad was announced, Raina said that Suryakumar Yadav could have been the X-factor in the team if he was picked for the Champions Trophy.

“India looks like a strong side. I am confident Rohit will take India to glory. But I was surprised by Surya’s exclusion from the team. India will miss that X-factor, and that too in the middle order," Suresh Raina said on Star Sports Press Room.

“We saw Surya’s performance in the 2023 World Cup. He was scoring runs all over the ground, which is why he is called Mr. 360. He plays superb sweep shots and is a game-changer. He has the ability to chase a required run rate of 9-plus against top teams. He should have been in the squad," he added.

Suryakumar Yadav's last ODI assignment for India was the 2023 ODI World Cup. He managed 106 runs in seven matches at an underwhelming average of 17.66.

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