Suryakumar said becoming the world’s number one T20 batsman feels like a dream
Indian cricket’s new sensation Suryakumar Yadav still dreams of becoming the world’s number one player in T20 Internationals but he doesn’t want to be confined to the limited-overs format and has a burning desire to make it big in Test cricket as well. . In an interview to PTI, Suryakumar talked about topping the T20 rankings, next year’s World Cup and his desire to play Test cricket.
Excerpts from Suryakumar’s interview are as follows – Q: If you were told a year ago that you would be the number one batsman in T20 cricket at the end of the year, would you have believed it? Answer: It still feels like a dream. Had someone called me the number one batsman in T20 cricket a year back, I don’t know how I would have reacted. When I started playing in this format, I wanted to give my best and worked hard for that. Q: Now the priority will be the ODI World Cup in 2023, so will you be changing your game for the 50-over format?
Answer: When I am playing any format, I do not think much about it, because I enjoy it a lot whenever I go out to bat. I think that whenever I go to the crease, I should give a game-changing performance. I love batting whether it is T20, ODI or Ranji Trophy. Q: Are you hopeful of making it into the Indian team for the four-Test series against Australia? Answer: I started playing at the national age group level with the red ball, so the answer lies in that.
In five-day matches, you are faced with tricky but exciting conditions and you want to rise to the challenge. Yes, I am ready if I get a chance.” Q: Skills can be learned but how should a player prepare mentally to play at the highest level? Answer: I would say it is never impossible but definitely difficult. You should have a good attitude for this. I focus on practicing better rather than practicing more. My family and I have made a lot of sacrifices.
I played first class cricket for 10 years before making my debut for India. You get to learn a lot in first-class cricket and so when you play at the international level and face different types of bowlers, then you just need to express yourself. Q: Did you get frustrated or angry when you were not selected in the national team despite doing well at the domestic level and in the IPL over the years?
Answer: I would not say that I used to get annoyed but I always used to think about what needs to be done differently to go to the next level. So I kept working hard and you have to enjoy your game along with it. That’s why you start playing cricket. I knew that if I don’t focus on results and focus on my game, I will be able to make it to the national team someday. Q: Can you tell us something about your 360 degree technology? Answer: It is an interesting story.
During my school and college days, I played a lot of cricket with a rubber ball. On hard cement pitches and on rainy days, balls from 15 yards used to come fast and if the leg side boundary was 95 yards, the off side was only 25 to 30 yards. That’s why most of the bowlers used to bowl targeting my body to save the off-side boundary. So I learned to use wrists, bridges and uppercuts. I have never practiced it on the net. Q: How is your relationship with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma?
Answer: I am really lucky to be playing with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He is the legend of international cricket. What he has achieved, I don’t know if I will ever be able to achieve. Recently I have had some good partnerships with Virat bhai and I enjoy batting with him. Q: Can you tell about the contribution of Mumbai Indians and your wife Devisha in your career?
Answer: There are two pillars in my life and cricket journey – Mumbai Indians and my wife Devisha. First I will talk about the contribution of Mumbai Indians. When I came here from Kolkata Knight Riders in 2018, I was eyeing the opportunity to bat at the top of the order and without my asking, the team management showed confidence in me and entrusted me with this responsibility. I married Devisha in 2016 and when I joined Mumbai Indian, we both started thinking about what we should do to move to the next level. She stood by me whenever I needed her. Devisha provided me with the kind of balance I was looking for as a player.
