Freshly made rotis, a serving of mutton curry and some company from Sarfaraz Khan. That was how Suryakumar Yadav spent some time after producing a blistering knock for Mumbai in their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy opener against Hyderabad on Saturday.
The former India T20I captain was spotted sitting on the floor alongside Sarfaraz, enjoying a hearty meal after lighting up the Jadavpur University Campus Ground with his batting. It was a relaxed moment away from the cricket field, where Suryakumar had been anything but laid-back.
The Mumbai batter smashed an unbeaten 60 off just 21 deliveries, helping his side chase down Hyderabad’s 172 with seven wickets and 41 balls to spare. But beyond the big hits and the post-match meal, Suryakumar had plenty to say about his ambition to return to the Indian team.
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A BLISTERING KNOCK
Suryakumar needed just 15 deliveries to reach his half-century, eventually finishing with six fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 285.71. His innings ensured Mumbai made light work of the chase, reaching 174 for three in only 13.1 overs.
He received plenty of support from the Mumbai top order. Musheer Khan struck a 24-ball 51, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi got the innings moving with 27 off 13 balls. Hardik Tamore added 22 before Musheer and Suryakumar combined for a 65-run partnership that effectively settled the contest.
Earlier, Maxwell Swaminathan had picked up three wickets for 23 runs to restrict Hyderabad to 172. Abhirath Reddy top-scored with 35, but Mumbai’s batting firepower proved too much for the visitors.
HURT BY THE SNUB
The performance also came against the backdrop of Suryakumar’s absence from the Indian team following the T20 World Cup triumph. The batter admitted that missing out on selection had hurt, particularly after being part of a historic campaign.
Having expected to feature in India’s assignments after the World Cup, Suryakumar found himself on the outside looking in. While he acknowledged that the selectors would have had their reasons, he admitted that the disappointment had fuelled his desire to return.
“But yes, I was hurt. If you don’t feel sad or hurt, how will you turn that into passion, and how will you play with that passion? That is what I am trying to do now,” he said after Mumbai’s win.
The former India captain believes the hunger he once had to force his way into the national side has returned. He knows that scoring runs consistently in domestic cricket is the only way to put himself back in contention.
“The same hunger I had earlier to play for India, when I used to score runs after returning to domestic cricket, has come back again. If I want to play for India again, I will have to break the door down once more. All right, let’s do it,” he said.
BACKING FROM MUMBAI
Suryakumar has also taken on the responsibility of leading Mumbai, having recently been appointed captain. He credited Mumbai Cricket Association president Ajinkya Naik for standing by him during a difficult period and showing faith in him despite his absence from the national side.
He said the association could have picked someone else for the role but chose to entrust him with the leadership.
Suryakumar also spoke about the changing demands of T20 cricket, stressing that teams can no longer afford to take their foot off the pedal after the powerplay. With scores of 250-260 becoming increasingly achievable, he wants to maintain an aggressive approach through the middle overs.
For now, his immediate focus is on delivering for Mumbai. He insisted that his knock against Hyderabad was not intended as a statement to the selectors, but was simply an extension of the attacking approach he has followed for the last four or five years.
The mutton curry and rotis may have provided a relaxed end to his day, but Suryakumar’s post-match message was anything but casual. He wants to wear India colours again, and is prepared to earn his way back.
– Ends
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