MUMBAI: Life keeps getting better and better for Suryakuamr Yadav. An unreal year for him, which saw him scoring 1,164 runs @ 46.56 in 31 T20Is, ended on a perfect note for him when on December 27, he was elevated as the vice-captain of India’s T20I side for the home series against Sri Lanka, which kicks off on January 3 at the Wankhede Stadium here.
“It (vice-captaincy) wasn’t expected, but the way the past year has been for me, I can say that it’s like a reward for me. I’m feeling very good about it, and I’m really looking forward to it,” Surya said after cracking 95 for Mumbai against Saurashtra on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy match at the MCA’s ground in BKC.
It was his father Ashok Kumar Yadav who broke the good news to ‘Sky’ on Tuesday night that he had been ‘promoted’ in India’s T20I setup. “My father forwarded the (team) to me, because he’s always on social media. Then, we spoke to each other. He also sent me a small message: ‘Not to take any pressure and enjoy your batting.’”
Of course, it took time for the news to sink in.
“I closed my eyes and asked myself: ‘Is this a dream?’” Surya revealed. Indeed, the last two years -- since his debut against England at Ahmedabad on March 14, 2021, he has smashed 1,408 runs in 42 T20Is @44.00 at an unreal strike rate of 180.97, with 12 fifties and 2 hundreds - have been like a ‘walk in the clouds’ for the Mumbaikar, who bats like a ‘free bird’ as former Mumbai coach Sulakshan Kulkarni had once termed him to be. If the 32-year-old keeps smiling and pinching himself, you can’t blame him!
1/10:SKY moments: How Suryakumar Yadav dominated T20Is in 2022
2/10:Suryakumar's emergence
<p>Suryakumar Yadav has taken cricket's shortest format by storm as he emerged as the highest run-getter in 2022.</p>
3/10:Consistent Surya
<p>In 31 T20Is this year, Suryakumar showcased unreal consistency and power-hitting, scoring 1164 runs at an average of 46.56.</p>
4/10:India's first T20 Superstar
<p>He scored two centuries and nine fifties in the format this year, with best score 117 of this year.</p>
5/10:Surya first for India
<p>Surya, who is also known as Mr 360 for his ability to play strokes all around the wicket, is the first Indian to score 1000 runs in T20Is in a calendar year and the second player to do so.</p>
6/10:Second after Rizwan
<p>He followed in the footsteps of Mohammad Rizwan in 2021, with the Pakistan opener finishing with 1326 runs last year.</p>
7/10:Yet to taste a success in ODIs
<p>But the batter has not been able to replicate his T20I success in ODIs.</p>
8/10:In ODIs this year
<p>He has scored only 260 runs in 13 ODIs this year at an average of 26.00 and just one half-century under his belt.</p>
9/10:How he fared this year
<p>Overall, he has played 43 innings this year, scoring 1,424 runs at an average of 40.68, with two centuries and 10 fifties.</p>
10/10:Another record for him
<p>Surya also owned the record of hitting most sixes (68) in a calendar year in T20Is. UAE's Muhammad Waseem hit 43 sixes this year.</p>“Of course, it still feels like a dream. My hard work of several years (has paid off). The seeds that I’ve sown, that tree has finally grown, and I’m enjoying its fruits. So, I’m really happy with the way things are growing. I want to ensure that this patch keeps getting longer. The more I’m in this space, the better,” he beamed.
Does the additional ‘work profile’ bring any more pressure on him? Like most strokeplayers, Surya doesn’t give the ‘P’ word much importance.
“Since the time I’ve been playing cricket for India, there has always been responsibility and pressure on me. But at the same time, I’ve been saying that I’m just enjoying my game in the middle. I don’t carry any baggage. I don’t think too much. I do the thinking only in the hotel and in the nets. When it comes to the match, I just look to enjoy my game, and express myself,” Surya said.
Having played plenty of times with Hardik Pandya for India and the Mumbai Indians before that, he enjoys an excellent equation with the allrounder. Will he look to help him in decision-making as well? “Absolutely. Our bond has always been very good. We’ve played a lot together for India and MI. Our batting numbers are also one after the other. We’ve batetd a lot together. We complement each other. He’s been a fantastic leader, as you’ve seen in the IPL, and recently, while leading India. So, I really enjoy playing under his captaincy,” he complimented.
