Suryakumar Yadav’s candid take: ‘Rohit Sharma’s performance Isn’t the only factor…’
Ahead of India’s first T20I against South Africa in Durban, captain Suryakumar Yadav downplayed concerns about his return to the Indian Test squad. He stated that if it’s meant to happen, it will, and that he is focused on his current role in the T20I team.
India’s tour of South Africa includes four T20Is, with the first match on Friday. Suryakumar’s comments follow India’s historic 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand at home, marking their first-ever home series whitewash in 12 years.
At the pre-match press conference, Suryakumar remarked, “When the time comes, I will make a Test comeback. I am playing in all domestic tournaments, whether red-ball or white-ball. I don’t miss any games. If it’s meant to happen, it will.”
Though Suryakumar has been a regular in India’s white-ball setup, he has only played one Test match, against Australia in 2023, scoring just eight runs. In the same year, he was named a reserve player for the ICC World Test Championship Final.
Suryakumar’s first-class record is impressive, with 5,656 runs in 84 games at an average of 42.84, including 14 centuries and 29 fifties, with a highest score of 200.
On a broader note, Suryakumar emphasized the importance of balance in sports. He highlighted that winning and losing are part of the journey, taking inspiration from Rohit Sharma’s unwavering character, regardless of performance. “Whether Rohit is performing well or not, his character remains unchanged. That is a quality every sportsman should have,” he added.
Suryakumar also dismissed concerns about South Africa’s bouncy pitches. He noted that Indian players are familiar with such conditions and have a strong T20I record in the country, with six wins and three losses. “We play on bouncy pitches in India as well, so it’s nothing new for us. We also played here last year and understand the conditions,” he said.
The T20I series continues with the second match at St George’s Park on November 10, followed by matches at SuperSport Park on November 13, and Wanderers Stadium on November 15.
