Suryakumar Yadav, India’s dynamic T20I captain, remains determined to make his mark in Test cricket despite a prolonged absence from the format. Having played just one Test match in his career, Suryakumar has expressed his desire to represent India in all three formats.
To enhance his red-ball credentials, Suryakumar has made himself available for the second half of Mumbai’s Buchi Babu Invitational tournament, which runs until August. He will join a young Mumbai squad under the leadership of Sarfaraz Khan, requesting the selectors to maintain the current captaincy arrangement.
“I want to play for India in all three formats,” Suryakumar stated. “Playing in Buchi Babu will give me good practice for the red-ball tournaments this season.”
Suryakumar’s recent success as India’s T20I captain, leading the team to a 3-0 series sweep over Sri Lanka, has further fueled his Test aspirations. Despite being omitted from the subsequent ODI series, Suryakumar has a clear path to push for a Test comeback with a series of red-ball matches on the horizon.
Following the Buchi Babu tournament, Suryakumar is expected to participate in the Duleep Trophy, a prestigious first-class competition featuring teams selected by the national selectors. His last first-class appearance came in the 2023 Duleep Trophy, where he showcased his batting prowess.
Throughout his first-class career, Suryakumar has amassed 5628 runs in 82 matches, averaging 43.62 with 29 fifties and 14 centuries. His impressive record suggests that he possesses the technical ability and temperament to succeed in the demanding Test arena.
Suryakumar’s determination to break into the Test team is a testament to his versatility and ambition. As he embarks on a series of red-ball matches, the Indian cricket fraternity will eagerly watch his progress, hoping to witness the emergence of a new Test star.
