Hurts to think I have not done well: Suryakumar Yadav on exclusion from Champions Trophy squad

India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav on Tuesday said that he has accepted his exclusion from the Champion's Trophy squad, but said it hurts that he could not perform well in the ODI format.

He said that those chosen ahead of him deserve to be in the team. The selectors ignored Yadav for the 15-member CT squad, but he will lead the side that will take on Jos Buttler's England in the five-match T20I series beginning in Kolkata Wednesday.

With his reputation of stroke-filled innings, Yadav is one of the most devastating T20 cricketers but that form has not converted it into runs in 50-over cricket. The middle-order batter has scored 773 runs in 37 ODIs at an average of 25.76.


Asked if he was hurt by the exclusion from the Champions Trophy squad, Yadav said, "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 (CT) squad, it's looking really good. Whoever is there, they are all good performers. They have done relatively well in that format for India and also playing domestic cricket and I am very happy for them," he added.

He said that it hurt to think that he had not done good enough to be in the squad.

"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 said, adding that Jasprit Bumrah and comeback-man Mohammed Shami are a "lethal combination" for any opponent if they are fit for the tournament.


Bumrah has not bowled since the Sydney Test and is not available for at least the T20Is and the ODI series against England due to back spasms.

"They have played a lot of cricket together. They are experienced bowlers. And whenever you play for India, it's a different feeling, different emotion. Added responsibility and you love playing.

"So, it will be fun to see them bowling together again. Like we saw in the 2023 ODI World Cup. They bowled really well. And hopefully, we will see the same bowling in the Champions Trophy. "