India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav, renowned for his exceptional performances in the shortest format, harbors a deep-seated desire to excel in red-ball cricket. In a recent interview, he expressed his eagerness to stake a claim in the Test squad.
Yadav’s passion for the longest format stems from his formative years in Mumbai’s maidans, where he honed his skills playing with the red cherry. He has participated in numerous First Class matches over the past decade and cherishes the opportunity to compete in this challenging format.
“Red-ball cricket has always been my priority,” Yadav asserted. “I’ve played a lot of First Class matches and I still love it. I’m always looking for opportunities to play for Mumbai, whether it’s in First Class or tournaments like the Buchi Babu.”
The Buchi Babu tournament provides Yadav with a valuable platform to prepare for the upcoming Duleep Trophy and, potentially, Test cricket. He believes that the experience of playing multi-day games in challenging conditions is crucial for his development.
“We don’t get many multi-day games back home during this weather,” Yadav explained. “But standing in the heat for six hours and doing that three or four days in a row is only possible through a game. That’s very important going forward in the Duleep Trophy and, hopefully, in Tests.”
Yadav acknowledges the intense competition for places in the Indian Test side, but he remains optimistic about his chances. He recognizes that he must earn his spot through consistent performances.
“There are a lot of people who have worked really hard to earn their place,” Yadav said. “I want to earn that spot again. I made my debut for India in Tests, but after that, I got injured. There were a lot of people who got an opportunity and have done well too. They deserve that opportunity right now.”
“Going forward, if I have to play, then I’ll automatically play. That’s not in my control. What’s in my power right now is to play the Buchi Babu tournament, go on to play Duleep Trophy and then see what happens. But yes, I’m really looking forward. There are 10 Test matches lined up and I’m obviously excited for some red-ball fun.”
Yadav’s determination to succeed in Test cricket is evident in his approach to batting. He understands the need to adapt his style to the demands of the longest format.
“It’s necessary to adapt to the conditions well,” Yadav said. “You have to be one step ahead in the challenging longest format and can’t bat like how you would in a T20. But at the same time, intent is imperative. Everything else will take care of itself when you play.”
Yadav also values the opportunity to learn from his teammates, both senior and junior. He believes that there is always something to be gained from observing and interacting with others.
“I mean, not only Shreyas or Sarfaraz, the learning also comes from players who have not even played a single game for Mumbai till now,” Yadav said. “You can observe them during training and there will be small things you grasp that can be added to your own routine.”
“There is no senior or junior in learning. It’s all the same when you play this sport.”
