Suryakumar Yadav has conceded that his ODI numbers have been bad for a time while continuing to dominate the T20 circuit. Despite being ranked No. 1 in T20Is in the ICC rankings, Suryakumar has found it difficult to fill the vacuum left by the likes of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul recently.
Suryakumar scored 78 runs in the just-finished three-match series in the West Indies and is averaging 14.11 runs per inning in ODIs in 2023. “We’ve played so much T20 cricket now that we’ve become accustomed to it,” Suryakumar remarked after returning to form in the third T20I against the West Indies. “We don’t play as much one-day cricket as we used to.” That’s one of the more difficult formats for me since you need different gears. If too many wickets fall early on, you must adopt a Test cricket-style approach. Then you go for run-a-ball, followed by the T20 approach.
𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛, 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨💪 pic.twitter.com/ZkYOch2uBZ
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) August 8, 2023
“Right now, I’m attempting to put into practise what the team management has taught me about ODI cricket.” I’m attempting to take my time and complete the tasks assigned to me by the team. I’ll do my best to maintain the trust that the team has placed in me. We know what to do in T20 cricket because we play so much of it. You only need to go play your game.”
Initially requested to bat at No. 4, team management is now attempting to offer the maverick batsman opportunities at No. 6 in a finishing role in order to ensure he encounters fewer deliveries, similar to a T20 scenario. “If I’m being completely honest, I know my numbers in one-day cricket are quite poor,” he admitted. “I don’t feel bad about admitting it. We talk about honesty; you must be honest, but how you strive and progress is even more vital.
“Rohit and Rahul bhai have told me that this is not a format in which you play a lot; you need to practise a little on what you can do for the team.” We expect you to hit 45 to 50 balls. That’s the signal from the team management; now it’s up to me to decide how I want to play if I’m batting in the last 15–18 overs. Now it’s up to me to make the most of this opportunity. ” I must bat in accordance with the team’s needs.”
Suryakumar revealed that he didn’t do anything to get back in the runs after his 44-ball 83 helped India pull one back in the five-match T20I series on Tuesday (August 8), but he did laud rising sensation Tilak Varma, who scored an unbeaten 49 in the chase. “I think he’s very clear in his mind,” Suryakumar remarked about Tilak. “Most importantly, he knows his game very well, what he wants to do when he comes into bat, and he was very clear today as well.” Mentally, he is very strong, which is crucial when you come to the Indian dressing room and play at this level.”
Post match Chat between Surya and Tilak Verma .#TilakVarma #SuryakumarYadav #HardikPandya pic.twitter.com/LqccKTaSmN
— Ankoor singh (@Ankoorsingh23) August 9, 2023
Despite the fact that nobody expected India to fall behind 2-0 early in the series against the West Indies, Suryakumar lauded the home team and disclosed that the visitors were determined to win on Tuesday. “We never start a series thinking we’re going to lose,” he added. “Standings aren’t that important. All that matters is which team performs better on the day. And we all know how brilliantly the West Indies perform in T20s. They are one of the most dangerous T20 teams in the world. Today, all we wanted to do was accept responsibility, demonstrate our character, and win the game for India. That’s what we were thinking when we came out to play—not just the 11 of us, but all 15 of us—that we needed to win today’s game in some way. That’s what we did today, and it was a lot of fun.”
