In the heart of Mumbai, where cricket lives in every street and alley, a young boy once picked up a bat and dreamt big. Today, that same boy—Suryakumar Yadav, also known as Sky—has become one of the most explosive T20 batters in the world. With his unorthodox shots, quick wrists, and calm head, Suryakumar has brought a fresh flavour to Indian cricket.
But who is the man behind the fearless strokes? Know his complete life story—his childhood, personal life, professional journey, controversies, and more.
Early Life & Childhood
- Full Name: Suryakumar Ashok Yadav
- Nicknames: SKY, Surya
- Date of Birth: September 14, 1990
- Place of Birth: Chembur, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Zodiac Sign: Virgo
- Nationality: Indian
Born into a middle-class family, Suryakumar spent his early years in Chembur, a suburban area of Mumbai. His father, Ashok Kumar Yadav, originally from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, worked as an electrical engineer at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). When Surya was 10, his father noticed his love for cricket and enrolled him at a local cricket camp in Chembur.
Soon after, he joined the Elf Vengsarkar Academy at Churchgate, where former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar mentored him.
Family Background
Father – Ashok Kumar Yadav
A respected BARC engineer, Ashok Yadav, was instrumental in shaping his son’s career. He used to take Surya to matches, camps, and always supported his passion, even during financial crunches.
Mother – Swapna Yadav
A homemaker with a quiet presence in media, Swapna is the emotional anchor of the family. She encouraged his early routines, nutrition, and training focus.
Sister
Suryakumar has no siblings, making him the sole torchbearer of his family’s dreams.
Education & Early Training
- School: Atomic Energy Central School, Mumbai
- College: Pillai College of Arts, Commerce & Science
- Early Coach: Dilip Vengsarkar (Elf Academy)
While studying, Suryakumar never compromised on his cricket. By 2009, he had already made his Mumbai Ranji Trophy debut. His sharp cricketing IQ came not only from practice but also watching legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid during Mumbai nets.
Personal Life: Love, Marriage, and Stability
Girlfriend Turned Wife – Devisha Shetty
Devisha and Suryakumar met in 2010 at Mumbai’s R.A. Podar College during a cultural event. Devisha, a trained classical dancer and a baking enthusiast, fell in love with Surya’s simplicity and dedication. The couple dated for years before tying the knot on July 7, 2016. 1
Their love story has been steady, mature, and often praised by fans on social media. Devisha is frequently seen supporting Surya from the stands during IPL and India matches.
Physical Appearance & Fitness
- Height: 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters)
- Weight: Around 75 kg
- Eye Colour: Black
- Hair Colour: Black
- Fitness Regime: Daily gym sessions, agility drills, and focus on mobility
Suryakumar’s lean and athletic body makes him agile on the field. He’s one of the quickest outfielders in Indian cricket today.
Domestic Career: The Mumbai Climber
Suryakumar Yadav made his first-class debut for Mumbai in 2010. In his debut Ranji season, he hit a brilliant 73 against Delhi, followed by a century and never looked back. He soon became the Mumbai Ranji captain and earned the reputation of being a finisher.
- First-Class Matches: 82
- Runs: 5,628
- Average: 44.45
- 100s/50s: 14/29 2
He also represented India A, West Zone, and India Blue in various domestic tournaments like Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
IPL Career: From Benchwarmer to Star Performer
- IPL Debut: 2012 (Mumbai Indians)
- IPL Teams: Mumbai Indians (MI), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
After a few quiet seasons at MI, he joined KKR in 2014, where he became known for his fearless finishing, especially in the death overs. However, he made a comeback to Mumbai Indians in 2018, where he exploded as a top-order batter.
IPL Stats (as of 2025):
- Matches: 148
- Runs: 3,809
- Average: 30.47
- Strike Rate: 139.69
- Best Score: 103* 3
His IPL success forced selectors to take notice and give him the long-awaited India cap.
International Career: Late But Impactful Entry
Despite consistent IPL and domestic form, Surya had to wait till March 2021 for his India debut—against England in a T20I. On debut, he smashed a six off the very first ball he faced and scored 57.
Since then, he has been a regular in India’s T20I side.
T20I Career (as of May 2025):
- Matches: 60
- Runs: 2,141
- Average: 44.60
- Strike Rate: 171.56
- 100s: 4
- 50s: 17
- Best Score: 117 4
He briefly wore the ICC World No. 1 T20I batter crown in 2022–23 and has been India’s backbone in multiple T20 series.
ODI Career: Inconsistent Form, But Backing Remains
Suryakumar’s ODI career hasn’t been as successful. While his T20 approach is aggressive, adapting it to ODIs has proven tough.
- Matches: 37
- Runs: 782
- Average: 26.93
- Strike Rate: 101.83
Despite this, selectors backed his X-factor in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he played a couple of crucial cameos.
Controversies: Minor Bumps in a Calm Career
1. The Kohli Gesture Rumor
In 2022, during a match, a visual of Surya “ignoring” Kohli’s high-five went viral, leading to fake headlines of the rift. Both cricketers laughed off the rumour later on social media 5.
2. BCCI Snub in 2020
After a stellar IPL 2020, fans and experts were shocked that Surya didn’t get selected for the Australia tour. Even Harbhajan Singh and Gautam Gambhir publicly slammed the decision 6.
This built massive support for him on social media, which may have helped open doors the following year.
Off-the-Field Life
Hobbies
- Playing guitar
- Travelling with wife Devisha
- Sketching and painting
- Motorbiking (owns Harley Davidson)
Social Media Presence
Suryakumar is quite active on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). He posts training reels, travel pictures, and cricket insights, with over 5 million followers.
Net Worth & Endorsements
- Estimated Net Worth: ₹30–35 crore
- Major Endorsements: SS Cricket, Dream11, Pintola Peanut Butter, Boult Audio
- BCCI Grade: B (₹3 crore per year contract) 7
Surya’s brand is rapidly growing due to his consistency, unique playing style, and humble background.
Conclusion: A Sky That Knows No Limits
Suryakumar Yadav’s journey is a lesson in patience, persistence, and belief. From Chembur’s small lanes to becoming India’s 360-degree T20 maestro, his story proves that even late bloomers can shine the brightest.
He’s not just a cricketer; he’s an emotion for today’s generation—bold, creative, and always hungry to perform.
Sources:
- Devisha Shetty Details – News18
- First-Class Stats – ESPNcricinfo
- IPL Profile – ESPNcricinfo
- T20I Stats – ESPNcricinfo
- Kohli Viral Moment – Hindustan Times
- 2020 Snub – India Today
- BCCI Contract List 2024 – InsideSport
