Ahead of IPL 2023 clash with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mumbai Indians (MI) batter Suryakumar Yadav has said that it felt like a homecoming for him when he returned to the blue and gold franchise back in 2018.

Since then Suryakumar Yadav has been an important part of the side and has won the IPL title in 2019 and 2020 with the franchise after winning the trophy in 2014 with Kolkata Knight Riders.

MI lost their IPL 2023 opener to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and will look to get their campaign on track against CSK in Wankhede on April 8, 2023.

Before the match, Suryakumar Yadav compared the feeling of returning to the Wankhede to the emotion of returning to one’s home.

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“When I returned to Mumbai Indians in 2018, it felt like a homecoming where everybody greets you. I got that same feeling. The first time I came to the ground, it was a very different feeling. Obviously, when you come to any stadium you feel great. You imagine playing at the stadium, the feeling you get when you make runs and play shots at the stadium is a very different feeling,” Suryakumar said in a video posted by MI.

Suryakumar Yadav, who is enduring a rare dip in form, said that he has to put in "quality efforts" in the match against CSK. The no.1 ranked T20I batter in the world, Suryakumar scored only 15 runs in his first MI game after registering three zeros in the ODI series against Australia.

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He also shared his earliest memories of Wankhede Stadium as from age-group cricket to IPL, Suryakumar has stepped onto the Wankhede pitch several times.

“When the stadium was made, I was a regular here. I played domestic matches, age-group matches, and then came the IPL. I was at MI from 2011 to 2013. In 2018, I was reunited with the franchise after a short break.

After entering the stadium, I felt really special again and I thought I will have to work very hard if I have to play consistently in front of this amazing crowd at this beautiful stadium. I’ll have to put in quality efforts and I have been working hard since then and have never looked back," Suryakumar said.