Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer believes that T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav is becoming too predictable in his shot selection, which is causing the bowlers to get the better of him. Domestic cricket icon Jaffer feels that Surya lacks a backup plan against opposition teams to counter his strength, which is causing him to lose his wickets.

This comes after Surya failed to help his Indian Premier League franchise, Mumbai Indians chase a mammoth target set by eternal rivals Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, April 23. He scored 36 runs from 30 balls as his team was reduced to 11/3 in the first three overs while chasing the target of 208 runs. Mumbai lost this match by 103 runs.

He has had a forgettable tournament so far, scoring only 157 runs at a strike rate of 142.73 in seven innings, with only one fifty-plus score against Delhi Capitals when he was required to captain the side in the absence of Hardik Pandya.

Jaffer believes Surya’s struggles are due to teams now bowling tighter lengths, which is not giving him enough space behind the wicket to play his trademark shots. He believes that Surya should focus on playing more in front of the wicket, down the ground.

Jafar said on his X account, “Sky (Sun) is getting stuck like this again and again.” “Teams set fields to restrict his leg-side and behind-the-wicket shots. He needs a Plan B. He might go straight or hit over cover. Don’t be predictable. Too good a player to fall into the same trap.”

Mumbai born batsman was dismissed 14th over by Akeal Hossein Distribution. Attempting a sweep, the right-handed batsman bowled the ball straight to deep backward square leg, where Sarfaraz Khan took a simple catch.

After the team’s early collapse, Surya along with Tilak Verma tried to revive MI’s innings, the duo sharing a partnership of 73 runs. Despite this effort, CSK defeated Mumbai at home. securing a comfortable victory.

Mumbai Indians now have a seven-day break before their next match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, April 29.

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