New Delhi: Suryakumar Yadav, widely recognized as one of the most explosive batsmen in T20 cricket and currently the T20 captain of Team India, is now focusing on domestic cricket to make a strong case for his return to red-ball cricket. Despite his phenomenal success in the shortest format, Suryakumar has struggled to establish himself in the Indian team in the longer formats—ODIs and Tests. However, he is not giving up and has expressed a strong desire to earn his spot back in the Test side by delivering solid performances in domestic tournaments.
A Challenging Path Ahead
Suryakumar is currently participating in the Buchi Babu tournament and will soon be playing in the Duleep Trophy as well. He knows that the competition for a place in the Indian Test team is fierce, with players like Mumbai’s Sarfaraz Khan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Rajat Patidar all ahead of him in the pecking order. Suryakumar has acknowledged that reclaiming his spot won’t be easy, but he is determined to put in the hard work required.
Speaking about his ambitions, Suryakumar said, “I am fully aware that many players have worked incredibly hard to secure their places in the Test team, and I want to do the same. I made my debut in Test cricket, but unfortunately, I got injured, and others got their chances and performed well.”
Focus on Domestic Tournaments
Suryakumar’s journey to reclaim his place in the Indian Test team begins in the domestic circuit. He is currently in Coimbatore, where he is playing in the Buchi Babu tournament. Following this, he will head to Anantapur to participate in the Duleep Trophy, where he will be part of the India ‘C’ team led by Ruturaj Gaikwad.
These domestic tournaments are crucial for Suryakumar as they provide him with the platform to showcase his red-ball skills and make a case for his inclusion in the national team. He understands that consistent performances in these tournaments could open the door for him to return to the Test side.
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, Suryakumar stated, “If I get an opportunity, I will definitely make the most of it. But getting that opportunity is not in my hands. All I can do is perform well in the Buchi Babu and Duleep Trophy and wait for my turn.”
Red-Ball Cricket: A Priority for Suryakumar
Despite his success in T20 cricket, Suryakumar has always prioritized red-ball cricket. He has a deep-rooted passion for the longer format, which developed during his early days playing cricket in Mumbai. Over the past decade, Suryakumar has played a significant amount of first-class cricket, and he believes that this experience has prepared him well for the challenges of Test cricket.
“Red-ball cricket has always been my priority,” Suryakumar said. “Growing up, my love for the long format grew while playing on the grounds of Mumbai. I have played a lot of first-class cricket over the last 10 years, and I would always like to take advantage of any opportunity to play for Mumbai, whether it’s in the Buchi Babu tournament or the Duleep Trophy.”
The Road Ahead
For Suryakumar Yadav, the journey back to Test cricket is filled with challenges, but he is ready to face them head-on. His performances in the upcoming domestic tournaments will be closely watched by selectors, and a strong showing could be the key to his return to the Indian Test side. With his unwavering determination and passion for red-ball cricket, Suryakumar is hopeful that his hard work will eventually pay off, allowing him to don the whites for India once again.
As he continues to work towards his goal, Suryakumar’s fans and supporters will be eagerly following his progress, hoping to see him make a successful comeback to the Test arena. For now, all eyes are on his performances in the Buchi Babu and Duleep Trophy, which could very well determine the next chapter in his cricketing career.
