Suryakumar Yadav Eyeing Test Comeback, Plays Every Domestic Tournament

Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20I captain, is determined to earn a recall to the Test side, revealing that he has been participating in all domestic tournaments, be it red-ball or white-ball formats. Despite making his Test debut earlier this year against Australia, the 34-year-old remains focused on cementing his place in the longest format.

“When the time comes, I will make a Test comeback,” Suryakumar said ahead of India’s first T20I against South Africa in Durban. “I am playing all the domestic tournaments, be it red-ball or white-ball. I don’t miss any game. If that [Test comeback] has to happen, it will happen.”

Suryakumar has also thrown his weight behind Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma, who has faced criticism after India’s 3-0 home series whitewash against New Zealand. The T20I skipper emphasizes the importance of maintaining balance and character, qualities he has learned from Rohit.

“In sports, winning and losing are common. Everyone works hard, everyone wants to win,” Suryakumar said. “For me, the most important thing in life is the balance. Whether he’s [Rohit] doing well or not, his character does not change. That is one quality which I feel a sportsman should always have.”

Drawing from his experience of playing under Rohit for India and in the IPL, Suryakumar has adopted a similar approach to managing the team, particularly the young players. He aims to provide them with “freedom and clarity” to express themselves on the field.

“I know how he [Rohit] treats the players, what he wants from them. So that route I have also taken because he’s been very successful recently,” Suryakumar said. “When I am on the ground, I keep noticing how his body language is, how calm he is under pressure situations, how he talks to the bowlers, how he treats everyone on the field and off the field.”

India have achieved impressive results under Suryakumar’s captaincy, winning 11 out of 13 T20I matches, including series sweeps against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. With a young squad for the upcoming series against South Africa, the skipper is confident that the players will deliver, having excelled for their state teams and IPL franchises.

“They have made my job very easy if you’ve seen the last two to three series,” Suryakumar said about the youngsters. “I have told them to keep the needs of the team in front, and whatever calls they take, we are here to back them.”

Suryakumar also dismissed any concerns about India’s performance on the bouncy South African pitches, stating that the team is well-equipped to handle such conditions, having played on similar surfaces at home.

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