Suryakumar Yadav, the great batsman for the Mumbai Indians, reminisced about a memorable IPL 2020 match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). After being passed over for India’s tour of Australia, the seasoned batter talked candidly about the inner agony he endured and how he turned that pain into a knock that won the game.
Yadav disclosed that he was devastated by his non-selection, particularly considering how brilliant he had been during the domestic and IPL seasons. He was shocked and moved by the exclusion because he had been working on his physical and mental training during the COVID-19 break.
“The announcement of the Australia tour team was made only a few days prior, so it was an emotional knock. Over the previous few years, I had been preparing for this; both my domestic season and the IPL were going incredibly well. I had done a lot of preparation for this season, including working on my physical and emotional well-being over the COVID break.
I therefore anticipated being included in the T20 team,” Suryakumar Yadav told Star Sports.
Even yet, he delivered a strong innings when Mumbai most needed him. The right-handed batsman entered the game at number three and produced one of his most memorable innings as he chased a target of 165 against RCB. He hit an undefeated 79 off just 43 balls, slamming 10 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 183.72.
His strategy made sure the team finished with five balls and five wickets remaining. Yadav and Virat Kohli also had a well-known exchange during the game. Although the two remained silent following the game, Yadav disclosed that following his India debut, Kohli awarded him the No. 3 spot in the T20I squad.
“Everyone around me, including international teammates, assumed I would be on a plane to Australia. But I was really upset when I wasn’t chosen. I was unable to figure out what went wrong. For the following two to three days, I didn’t talk to anyone. I didn’t even practise when I was on break. I chose to unwind as I knew my thoughts weren’t in the correct frame of mind. People saw that I was off when I hit the ground again, and Mahela and Zaheer could see it too,” he continued.
Suryakumar Yadav has emerged as one of the top hitters in the game’s shortest format since that memorable evening in Abu Dhabi. The 33-year-old has transformed the way that T20 cricket is played in the current era, amassing over 2500 international runs, four hundreds, and the World No. 1 T20I batter ranking. He is now the captain of India’s T20I team and recently reached the 4000-run mark in the IPL.
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