MUMBAI: After tasting success with the white ball for India – he’s the No.1 T20I batsman in world cricket and India’s batting powerhouse in the T20Is now – Suryakumar Yadav is hungry for test cricket now.
Prepares for his first match for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy in nearly 3 years – he last played for his home team against Madhya Pradesh at Wankhede Stadium in February 2020 just before covid – the 32-year-old has made no secret of the fact that he is now targeting a place in the Indian test team.
“Yes obviously I always dreamed of playing Tests for India too. When you start playing cricket for your state you start with the red ball. Gradually you get into the ball team I think it’s the best format in the game, and I really enjoy playing it,” said ‘Sky’ as he is affectionately known, ahead of Mumbai’s second round match against Hyderabad at the MCAis on the ground in BKC from Tuesday on.
Obviously, red ball cricket is also close to Surya’s heart. “When I started playing age group and Ranji Trophy cricket, I only played red ball cricket. At the beginning of my career, I slowly gained recognition through red ball cricket. My white ball (feats) came later. The red ball format is very close to my heart. I really like playing it,” he said.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri had recently said that if he had a chance, he would give Yadav a chance in the tests. Does Surya himself believe he can excel in test cricket? “Obviously I also have runs in that format. I also liked hitting in that format. It was really nice of him to say that. I still remember him saying I was a player any format. So, it’s really god to hear something like this from someone of his stature. Let’s see what the future holds (in store) for me,” Yadav said.
Has he spoken to India head coach Rahul Dravid about his test dream? “I remember that in the Test series against New Zealand (last year), when I was beating in the net at Kanpur. He said to me, ‘You look good. You just need to reduce a few hits. Be yourself. At the end of the day, it’s also about scoring goals in this format. Just keep it simple and enjoy what you’re doing. ‘,” Yadav reveals.
Like most Indian players before him, Yadav is excited to play for Mumbai again. “Like I always say, I feel like I’m back home where I belong. It’s great to meet everyone. I played my last first class game before the pandemic. After that, I didn’t have the opportunity ( to play in the Ranji Trophy). It feels good to be back in the dressing room in Mumbai. I’m really looking forward to seeing this match, and maybe also the next,” he said. “The team is doing well and I would also like to contribute. We won the last game, and it will be the icing on the cake if we can win another one,” he added.
It would not be easy for the explosive batsman to switch to red ball cricket after playing white ball cricket continuously for the past year and a half – he would play white ball cricket again when the Lankans come to visit early January. -but Yadav said format changes shouldn’t be a problem for him.
“I think it’s all about mindset. You see, my intention in every format is the same, whether it’s the red ball or the white ball. If you want to make runs, your intention has to be the same. I’m trying to express myself in this format too. I’m looking to fully enjoy myself in this format,” he said.
He credits a simple mantra for helping him succeed in the game. match. So the message to everyone will be the same. Regardless of what you do – score runs or not – try to keep that balance in your life and rest, everything will automatically be taken care of,” explained Yadav.
Will he be looking to play all the unconventional shots – the ramp, the scoop, the reverse scoop, the six-point over – that won him glory in the T20s, and now in the Ranji Trophy too? Laughing, Yadav said, “Obviously there are a bit of restrictions in this format, but if the situation calls for it, why not?” he said.
How life has changed in the last couple of years for him – every achievement in the T20Is catapults him into a different league. People are now waiting for his turn to beat. “I think it’s a complete exchange. It’s a great feeling, what’s happening. I’ve always enjoyed the fruits of all the hard work that’s happened over the last 10 to 15 years. .all the sacrifices my family and I have made together. I’m just happy to stay in this space,” he beamed.
So what were these sacrifices? “If you want to be fit and fast on the pitch, you have to sacrifice some things. I sacrificed a lot of food items that I liked before,” he said. One of the things he had to ‘let go’ was his love for biryani, which matches his love for the game. “I used to love biryani. You won’t believe, before 7-8 years, my routine on game day was brownie and ice cream So that’s completely changed Now it’s about salads and a mix of sacrifices)”, he underlined.
He still relishes his biryani, however. “The biryani (for me) is always waiting for me (for me) in the room. When the weather is nice, my wife (Devisha Shetty) tells me, it’s a night to reward yourself. It’s biryani time. But no sweets, that’s for sure,” he said with a laugh.
Prepares for his first match for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy in nearly 3 years – he last played for his home team against Madhya Pradesh at Wankhede Stadium in February 2020 just before covid – the 32-year-old has made no secret of the fact that he is now targeting a place in the Indian test team.
“Yes obviously I always dreamed of playing Tests for India too. When you start playing cricket for your state you start with the red ball. Gradually you get into the ball team I think it’s the best format in the game, and I really enjoy playing it,” said ‘Sky’ as he is affectionately known, ahead of Mumbai’s second round match against Hyderabad at the MCAis on the ground in BKC from Tuesday on.
Obviously, red ball cricket is also close to Surya’s heart. “When I started playing age group and Ranji Trophy cricket, I only played red ball cricket. At the beginning of my career, I slowly gained recognition through red ball cricket. My white ball (feats) came later. The red ball format is very close to my heart. I really like playing it,” he said.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri had recently said that if he had a chance, he would give Yadav a chance in the tests. Does Surya himself believe he can excel in test cricket? “Obviously I also have runs in that format. I also liked hitting in that format. It was really nice of him to say that. I still remember him saying I was a player any format. So, it’s really god to hear something like this from someone of his stature. Let’s see what the future holds (in store) for me,” Yadav said.
Has he spoken to India head coach Rahul Dravid about his test dream? “I remember that in the Test series against New Zealand (last year), when I was beating in the net at Kanpur. He said to me, ‘You look good. You just need to reduce a few hits. Be yourself. At the end of the day, it’s also about scoring goals in this format. Just keep it simple and enjoy what you’re doing. ‘,” Yadav reveals.
Like most Indian players before him, Yadav is excited to play for Mumbai again. “Like I always say, I feel like I’m back home where I belong. It’s great to meet everyone. I played my last first class game before the pandemic. After that, I didn’t have the opportunity ( to play in the Ranji Trophy). It feels good to be back in the dressing room in Mumbai. I’m really looking forward to seeing this match, and maybe also the next,” he said. “The team is doing well and I would also like to contribute. We won the last game, and it will be the icing on the cake if we can win another one,” he added.
It would not be easy for the explosive batsman to switch to red ball cricket after playing white ball cricket continuously for the past year and a half – he would play white ball cricket again when the Lankans come to visit early January. -but Yadav said format changes shouldn’t be a problem for him.
“I think it’s all about mindset. You see, my intention in every format is the same, whether it’s the red ball or the white ball. If you want to make runs, your intention has to be the same. I’m trying to express myself in this format too. I’m looking to fully enjoy myself in this format,” he said.
He credits a simple mantra for helping him succeed in the game. match. So the message to everyone will be the same. Regardless of what you do – score runs or not – try to keep that balance in your life and rest, everything will automatically be taken care of,” explained Yadav.
Will he be looking to play all the unconventional shots – the ramp, the scoop, the reverse scoop, the six-point over – that won him glory in the T20s, and now in the Ranji Trophy too? Laughing, Yadav said, “Obviously there are a bit of restrictions in this format, but if the situation calls for it, why not?” he said.
How life has changed in the last couple of years for him – every achievement in the T20Is catapults him into a different league. People are now waiting for his turn to beat. “I think it’s a complete exchange. It’s a great feeling, what’s happening. I’ve always enjoyed the fruits of all the hard work that’s happened over the last 10 to 15 years. .all the sacrifices my family and I have made together. I’m just happy to stay in this space,” he beamed.
So what were these sacrifices? “If you want to be fit and fast on the pitch, you have to sacrifice some things. I sacrificed a lot of food items that I liked before,” he said. One of the things he had to ‘let go’ was his love for biryani, which matches his love for the game. “I used to love biryani. You won’t believe, before 7-8 years, my routine on game day was brownie and ice cream So that’s completely changed Now it’s about salads and a mix of sacrifices)”, he underlined.
He still relishes his biryani, however. “The biryani (for me) is always waiting for me (for me) in the room. When the weather is nice, my wife (Devisha Shetty) tells me, it’s a night to reward yourself. It’s biryani time. But no sweets, that’s for sure,” he said with a laugh.
