Suryakumar Yadav had an excellent outing in white-ball cricket for India in 2022 as he became only the second batter to score more than 1000 runs in T20I cricket in a calendar year after Mohammad Rizwan.
Suryakumar also hit two centuries in one calendar year and had an excellent T20 World Cup 2022, scoring a total of 1164 runs in 31 T20Is with 2 centuries and 9 fifties at an average of 46.56 and a strike -rate of 187.43.
After conquering the white-ball format, Suryakumar Yadav,32, is aiming for Test cricket as well, as he gears up for his first game for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy in almost 3 years.
"Yes, obviously, I've always dreamt of playing Tests for India as well. When you start playing cricket for your state, you start with the red ball. Gradually you get into the white ball team. I feel that this is the best format of the game, and I really enjoy playing it,” Suryakumar Yadav said in an interview with Times of India.
He will appear for Mumbai in their second-round match against Hyderabad at the MCA's ground in BKC from Tuesday.
"When I started playing age group cricket and the Ranji Trophy, I played red-ball cricket only. At the start of my career, I earned slowly earned recognition through red-ball cricket. My white ball (exploits) came later. The red-ball format is very close to my heart. I really enjoy playing it," he said.
Even former India coach Ravi Shastri had vouched for Suryakumar Yadav’s ability to play the long format and the batter himself believes he can do well given that he has runs in red-ball cricket. In 77 FC matches, Suryakumar has 5326 runs with 14 centuries at an average of 44.01 and the best score of 200.
"Obviously, I do have runs in this format as well. I've enjoyed batting in this format as well. It was really nice of him to say that. I still remember that he said that I'm an all-format player. So, it feels really good to hear something like that from someone of his stature. Let's see what the future has (in-store) for me," Yadav said.
Suryakumar Yadav also recalled encouraging words from current head coach Rahul Dravid who asked him to keep things simple and enjoy what he was doing.
"I remember that in the Test series against New Zealand (last year), when I was batting in the nets in Kanpur. He told me that 'You're looking good. You need to curtail a few strokes. Just be yourself. At the end of the day, it's about scoring runs in this format as well. Just keep things simple and enjoy what you're doing.'" Yadav reveals.
Yadav is excited to play for Mumbai again and said: "As I always say, it feels like I'm back home, to where I belong. It feels great to meet everyone. I played my last First-Class game before the pandemic. After that, I didn't get an opportunity (to play in the Ranji Trophy). It feels good to be back in the Mumbai dressing room. I'm really forward to this game, and perhaps the next one too.”
He feels that a simple mantra has helped him achieve success in the game.
"I think that it's all about the mindset. See, my intent in every format is the same whether it's red or white ball. If you want to make runs, your intent has to be the same. I try to express myself in this format too. I look to enjoy myself fully in this format.
I try and keep things really simple. I'm a strong believer of my routines and processes which I follow on all net and match days. So, the message to everyone will be the same. Irrespective of what you are doing-scoring runs or not-try and keep that balance in your life and rest everything will be taken care of automatically," explained Yadav.
(Times of India inputs)
