Suryakumar Yadav has made a mark in his short international career and has already cemented his spot in white-ball cricket.
Had to wait his turn
Suryakumar Yadav was feeling a bit low after his third good season in a row during IPL 2020. His performances in the domestic season were also top notch and disappointment was gradually creeping in after not being picked among the probables for the Australian tour.
"There was a little bit of disappointment because of the build up before selection. When I used to go to the team room, many players told me you're almost there. Hence after I wasn't selected, I just took some time out and went to the beach for a walk alone. There I had two options - either I get disappointed and sit in my room letting this tournament go with the same momentum, or I try to turn things around, score more runs, win more games for MI and make a bigger impact."
Channeling the frustration Surya made the most of that frustration and hurt, putting it to use in an IPL match against RCB, the franchise of the then Indian captain Virat Kohli. He received support from Head Coach Mahela Jayawardene and Director of Cricket Operations, Zaheer Khan as well and was psyched up before the big clash.
"When we went to the ground for our game against RCB, I had no interest in warming up. That's when Mahela and Zaheer told me this is your game. If you score runs today, it will be a completely different story. When I walked into bat, I told myself, this is the game I need to win for my team and make a mark. I remember starting really slow but once I picked up, I never looked back."
Suryakumar Yadav won the Man of the Match award in the clash against RCB for his valiant effort of 79* (43) as he took MI to victory. In due course, the Team India call-up also arrived.
Surya has been brilliant in his young international career and has played match-winning knocks for India both in ODIs and T20Is.
Magnanimous man He is also a man with a golden heart. Yadav was representing his club Parsee Gymkhana in the three-day Police Shield final against Payyade Sports Club in December 2021 and smashed 259 runs in 152 balls at the Police Gymkhana ground in Mumbai.
Yadav received the Player of the Match prize money for his explosive batting which he gave to the ground staff.
