After his dazzling exploits in IPL 2023 for Mumbai Indians (MI), Suryakumar Yadav travelled to UK for the World Test Championship (WTC) final as a standby player of the Indian cricket team.

India will take on Australia in the highly-anticipated WTC final at the Oval in London from June 7 to 11.

Ahead of the marquee clash, Suryakumar opened up on some fascinating questions about him in a rapid-fire interview with the BCCI.

Asked about when and how he got the nickname SKY, Surya said: “I think it came in 2014 15 when I was playing for my franchise KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders), that time Gauti (Gautam Gambhir) bhaiya gave this name because Surya Kumar Yadav, he said was too long for everyone to call, so SKY."

When enquired about his favourite city in UK, Yadav said it is London while he mentioned the iconic Lord’s as his favourite ground in that country.

“It has beautiful a history and I remember when I came here for the test match, it was an amazing feeling," he said.

Suryakumar Yadav was put in a tough spot as he was also asked to name his favourite teammate. To which, the dashing batter replied: “If you look around, everyone is my best mate. But I love spending time with Ishan, Suraj, Akshar Patel, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Good to be around them apart from you (BCCI media team).”

Asked about the biggest prankster in the team, Surya said: “Any of them but Ishan Kishan takes the pole position and to be followed by Siraj, Akshar, etc etc."

When Suryakumar was enquired about his infamous ‘Supla Shot’, the right-hander said: “I think this term has come from tennis cricket. I have seen a lot of them, when I play, when I go back home and I shot means the ball which you hit right behind the wicket keeper when it’s shot coming right at your head. It’s something like going behind so what I love."

Sharing his advice to the youngsters, Surya said: “Be honest to yourself. Yes, work hard, but work smart."