India vs New Zealand 2023

‘It’s a little difficult sometimes…’ – Suryakumar Yadav talks about coping expectations and remaining grounded

Suryakumar Yadav has taken to T20Is like a duck to water. He has been piling on the runs and he had a wonderful time in the shortest format of the game in 2022. He was arguably the best batter for India in T20Is and in 2022 and one of the best in the world in the format at the moment. He has scored 1,578 runs at an average of 46.41 and at a strike rate of 180.34. in his T20I career. He has three hundreds in the format out of which two have come overseas and one has come at home.

Suryakumar made his debut in international cricket at the age of 30 in 2021. It was a late call-up for him but he has been unstoppable from when he donned the blue jersey. He has been raising the bar high with each innings and added to it his 360-degree play that comes makes batting mesmerising.

When he was asked about dealing with the weight of expectations and the pressure that comes from being an international player. He told the Indian Cricket Board. “It is fun. It feels really great. Whenever you go to a different city, you are getting that recognition. At the same time, you can forget what you have been doing before achieving all this and how you have reached till here. It’s a little difficult sometimes, but I just try and remain the same.”

I try and play situations -Suryakumar Yadav on his batting mindset

He further talked about playing according to the tempo of the game, respecting the situation of the game and going through accordingly. This is what he said, “I think I try and play situations, whatever situation I bat in. If I am batting at 4, 5 or 6, I look at the situation – what the team demands at the moment. Whatever the team demands, I just go through the motions.” He added.

The right-hand batter has been changing the game with his stroke play, he has two or more shots for the same ball, and hits the ball to different areas of the ground which has been his point of difference.

He has not set the ODI format on fire. He has played 17 games and made 388 runs. He said he was excited for the New Zealand series. “I have always loved playing this format as well and I am really looking forward to do well in this tournament. At the same time, nothing changes. The intent and the energy remains the same. He said.