Be patient to end IPL slump: Shastri tells struggling Suryakumar

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has urged the struggling Suryakumar Yadav to be a little more watchful at the start of his innings, in order to wriggle out of his slump in the ongoing IPL.

The Mumbai Indians dasher, after a terrific run in T20 Internationals through last year, managed just 15 and one in his two outings for the franchise heading into their Tuesday’s game against Delhi Capitals.

“There’s going to be light at the end of the tunnel, he’s going to be seeing that very soon,” Shastri told ESPNCricinfo ahead of the match. “And when he sees that, he’s going to grab it and make the most of it. So the advice to him would be just give yourself a little bit of time early on, even though its T20 cricket.”

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The 32-year-old top-ranked T20 batter in the world has struggled in recent times and was dismissed for three first-ball ducks in the one-day series against Australia at home last month. Known for his ability to play incredible shots when on song, Suryakumar has an average of over 175 in T20 Internationals.

“One good hit and you’re on your way. That’s what he needs one good hit, and a little bit of time at the crease,” he added. “Not 20-30 minutes, maybe six balls or eight balls, and I think he’d be fine.”

Shastri’s backing comes days after former Australia captain Ricky Ponting’s word of encouragement for the Mumbai man ahead of the ODI World Cup, which India is hosting later this year. “Everyone around the world knows what Surya can do in white-ball cricket. They should stick with him, I feel. Because he is, I think, the kind of player that can win you a World Cup,” Ponting said last week.

(With Agency inputs)