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I remember speaking to Suryakumar Yadav before the 2019 World Cup, and I quote what he said back then: “Everyone wants to play for India if you are playing this sport, but you need to be realistic. My aim is to play for India, but I don’t think about it every time as it puts double pressure on me. I try to stay in the present and enjoy the sport more. If it has to come, it will come.”
Three years later, he stands tall as the men’s No. 1 T20I batter. Since making his India debut, Suryakumar Yadav has emerged as a revelation, securing his spot in the T20I team, and rising to the top of the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings.
The late-blooming batter has all the shots at his disposal and even a few extra ones, but it’s not just his stroke play that sets him apart as a player; it’s also his remarkable consistency when it comes to scoring runs.
Anyone who has seen him bat at least once will agree that his variety of strokes and batting style are what make him unique. But throughout his T20I career, his consistency, and the frequency with which he recorded match-winning knocks have been impressive.
In an exclusive interview, he said, “The journey has been amazing It’s been a roller-coaster ride, but I’ve always dreamed of being here, playing for India, and winning games for India. It has been a long journey to reach where I am, and I am really enjoying that right now.”
Suryakumar Yadav was announced as India’s vice-captain for the T20I series against Sri Lanka, which gets underway on January 3 in Mumbai. The 32-year-old has had an incredible year, and the vice-captaincy announcement is undoubtedly the cherry on top.
On asking him what his reaction was when he got to know that he had been announced as the vice-captain, he said, “I actually pinched myself because it is a dream to become the vice-captain of the Indian team. It is a great responsibility, and it was my family who gave me this news. I wasn’t aware of it. It indeed is a great feeling.”
This year ‘SKY’ a name he is referred to by his supporters, scored an astounding 1164 runs at a staggering average of 46.56 in just 31 T20Is.
Many anticipated that Suryakumar Yadav would be one of India’s brightest stars at the T20 World Cup. Since his debut, he had consistently done so in every T20I match that India had played. Even when compared to some of the greatest athletes to ever grace the sport, his stats stand out.
But that idea was severely put to the test when India was shocked early in the power play. For those who don’t know, Suryakumar had never played a T20 International in Australia before the T20 World Cup. And here he was, arguably working on the world’s fastest pitch and up against one of the most aggressive fast-bowling teams.
He has also been nominated for the ICC T20I cricketer of the year award. Describing what 2022 was like for him, he says, “It has been a good year, but at the same time, you will have to see what I have done in the last eight to ten years. I have been working hard to come here and would really like to stretch this patch and stay here for a really long time.”
Following a 10-wicket loss to England in the T20 World Cup semi-final, Team India’s T20 World Cup 2022 exit revealed their weaknesses.
Many former cricketers called for changes in India’s T20 squad. That could hint at transitioning players and a process India will have to go through soon.
“Not thinking about it too much. Just stay in the same space and zone I’m in right now, enjoy what I’m doing, follow those processes and routines, and the results will take care of themselves,” he said.
On asking him who is that one bowler in white-ball cricket against whom scoring runs is tough, he said, “I have always enjoyed playing against Rashid Khan. He is one of the best bowlers I have faced in the world right now.”
Many cricketers prefer to take a break, but here was Suryakumar Yadav, who turned up for two Ranji matches ahead of the international season.
The right-handed batter has the experience of 79 first-class matches, scoring 5549 runs at an average of 44.75. He recently played fantastic innings of 90 against Hyderabad and scored 95 in the first innings against Saurashtra for Mumbai in a Ranji Trophy match.
“It is all about mindset. There is no big thing in shifting mindset for a T20I, ODI, or a four-day game. Because when you start playing cricket, you first come into first-class cricket, and then you go on to play for India. So, it isn’t something new, and this is the place where I started playing cricket, and I have gone on to play for India. So, if I am available and free anytime, I must turn back to my state,” he said.
A packed schedule lies ahead of Team India starting from January 3rd and considering it’s the year India will be playing the World Cup at home it is very important to stay fit and prepare for the upcoming season.
“Spend a lot of time with my family. Stay mentally fresh as much as possible, and whenever the tournament arises, turn up for it,” said Suryakumar Yadav on asking how he is planning to prep up.
He made his debut in March 2021 to great anticipation. Given how he had ignited the domestic stage and the IPL, his international debut appeared to be delayed. But as soon as he walked onto the field, he batted like he owned the place.
He performed as though he was destined to bat at the top level in T20I matches. That tale has only gotten stronger with each passing game.
Suryakumar Yadav is special; he is one of a kind and considering he has not even completed two years as an international cricketer, anyone could only hope he stays here for long and keeps ruling this beautiful game.
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