'Going to be Crucial in Playoffs': Sunil Gavaskar on MI's X-Factor

image-li1apgolSuryakumar Yadav has scored 511 runs in IPL 2023 [Source: Twitter]

Ahead of Eliminator, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has called Mumbai Indians' (MI) batter Suryakumar Yadav crucial for their success in the playoffs. Mumbai Indians, who finished fourth in the league standing, will take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) this evening at Chepauk, in a bid to keep their dreams of a sixth IPL title alive.

Yadav has been Mumbai's mainstay in batting this season, slamming 511 runs at an average of 42.58, and an even more staggering strike rate of 185.14. Speaking to Star Sports, Gavaskar also pointed out that Yadav needs to change his game-plan for playoffs, which will be played on slow and low pitches.

Here's what Gavaskar said

“SKY is outstanding. Look at the big stride he takes when it comes to playing such agricultural shots. However, he needs to plan his game better on slow and turning pitches. He's going to be crucial for MI in the playoff games. Remember, the first couple of playoff games are going to be played on a slow Chennai track,"

Yadav, who likes to play his shots all-round the ground, enjoys pace and bounce, while on tracks that have low bounce and grips the ball, the batting dips down. 

The last time these two sides squared off against each other in the league stage of IPL 2023, LSG prevailed by five runs, where Yadav managed just seven runs for MI.