Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar praised India’s “newcomer” for his outstanding performance in the just-finished T20I series against the West Indies in Kolkata and believes he has made a strong case for inclusion to the T20 World Cup side for the 2022 event.

Suryakumar Yadav, who made his international debut last year, completed the series as India’s leading run-scorer with 107 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 194.54 and a boundary rate of 3.92.

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Speaking to Star Sports after India’s 17-run triumph in the third T20I, in which Suryakumar hit a 31-ball 65 studded with seven sixes, Gavaskar praised the 31-year-ability old’s to not just complete but also revitalise the innings, recalling his knock in the series opener. The famous batsman also lauded young Venkatesh Iyer for adequately supporting Suryakumar in both innings and scoring 92 runs at a strike rate of 184 in three matches.

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“I believe he is essentially making a case for inclusion” (T20 World Cup team). In the first match, he and Venkatesh teamed to send India home just when things looked bleak. Today is no exception. Batting like that when four wickets have already fallen is a sure indicator that the side is on the right track. Perfection is unattainable. But having guys who can raise their hands and stand up when things aren’t going their way remember, he’s still a rookie. So he hasn’t been playing international cricket for very long. “Venkatesh, too, joined us only a few months ago,” he explained.

Suryakumar was encouraged by Gavaskar to bat at No. 3 for India because of his ability to construct and finish innings.

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“He can play at No. 3 and contribute to the development of an inning.” He is an innings builder as well as a finisher, as seen by his performance in the first game and today. What a fantastic combo.”

Suryakumar will next appear in a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, which begins on February 24.