Suryakumar Yadav Expresses Desire to Play Test Cricket Despite T20 Success
Suryakumar Yadav's Cricket Aspirations
World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav has expressed a strong desire to participate in Test cricket, admitting that One Day Internationals (ODIs) do not resonate with him as much. He believes his true strength lies in T20 cricket, stating, “usmey apna haath set ho gaya hai,” which reflects his comfort and mastery in this format.
In a candid podcast discussion, Suryakumar occasionally infused his speech with delightful Mumbaiya Hindi, particularly the phrase “haath set ho gaya hai,” indicating his proficiency in T20 cricket.
During the hour-long chat, he appeared relaxed and elated after leading India to a triumphant World Cup campaign, yet he shared his disappointment about not being part of the Test cricket scene.
When reminded of his solitary Test match against Australia, he humorously corrected the interviewer, saying, “One inning!” with his characteristic smile.
“What is destined for you, you receive that. I began with red-ball cricket, playing in the Ranji Trophy for over a decade. Growing up in Bombay, red-ball cricket was the norm,” he explained.
“However, as we transitioned to white-ball formats, my focus shifted. I made efforts in ODIs, but it didn’t click for me,” he added.
“In T20, things have been working well for me; you could say I’ve become adept at it,” he remarked.
When asked if he would seize the chance to play Test cricket, he responded eagerly, “I would love to. I played red-ball cricket from 2010 to 2020, which is a significant period, and I have a deep affection for that format. Given the opportunity, who wouldn’t want to play Test cricket?”
At 35, however, Suryakumar acknowledges that breaking into the Test team is highly unlikely. His only Test experience was in 2023 against Australia, where he scored 8 runs in one inning.
In the same year, he participated in the ODI World Cup final against Australia, scoring 18 runs off 28 balls, but India lost the match, and he has not played in ODIs since.
When questioned about the future of ODIs, especially as T20 cricket captivates fans with its fast-paced excitement, Suryakumar remained tactful, acknowledging the format's merits without dismissing it outright.
The decreasing number of bilateral series suggests a potential decline, raising concerns about the future of ODIs.
“From my experience, ODI cricket requires adapting to three different batting styles. If you come in early and wickets fall, you need to bat like in Test cricket. Then, you must maintain a good strike rate like in ODIs, and finally, at the end, you need to play like in T20s. It’s a format I’ve struggled to grasp,” he shared.
Indian spin legend R Ashwin has remarked that ODIs are facing a “slow death,” while Pakistan’s Wasim Akram has suggested that the ICC should abolish them. England’s Kevin Pietersen also views 50-over cricket as being at risk amid the growing popularity of T20.
Suryakumar reminisced about the emotional atmosphere surrounding the 2023 World Cup, stating, “The vibe and build-up to the final were entirely different from what we experienced in the T20 World Cups of 2024 and 2026.”
“ODI cricket has its unique charm, just as T20 does,” he concluded.