Suryakumar Yadav Career
Suryakumar Yadav has played 78 internationals for India [Source: Twitter]
India's Suryakumar Yadav needs no introduction. But for the uninformed, Yadav is one of the most dangerous and universal cricketers in T20 cricket. Yadav, 32, is a latecomer into international cricket, having made his debut in 2021 on the back of stellar performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Mumbai Indians over the years.
However, since stepping into the international arena, Yadav has looked apart from all other batters and has in many ways redefined the batting approach in white-ball cricket, namely T20Is.
Early Life and Entry into Professional Cricket
Suryakumar Yadav plays for Mumbai in domestic cricket [Source: Twitter]
The Mumbai-born player showed an inclination towards the sport from an early age and enrolled in former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar's academy before featuring in age-group cricket for Mumbai.
Having made his First-Class debut in 2010, Yadav moved up the ranks in domestic cricket and captained Mumbai Ranji's side in the 2014-15 season. However, the batter was dropped and stripped of captaincy duties in 2018 before being reinstated as skipper for the 2019-20 season.
In 82 First-Class and 128 List-A, Mumbai-born has scored 5,628 and 3,365 runs, respectively, while also playing for sides like India A, India B, India Blue, India Green, and West Zone.
Unveiling the Unique Playing Style of Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav plays an unconventional shot [Source: Twitter]
In an era where strike rate dictates cricket, Yadav reinvented himself over the years developing skills that made him an anomaly in T20 cricket. The 32-year-old had the cricketing acumen to succeed but needed that X-factor, which made him stand out from the rest of the crowd.
Over the years, Yadav developed a T20 batting skillset where the batter shows explosiveness from the get-go and has no other mode. Rewriting cricketing textbooks, Yadav started playing unconventional shots which range from over the wicket-keeper to flicks over the deep backward square and on the rise shots over mid-on-and-off.
Impact of Suryakumar Yadav on the Indian Cricket Team
The rise of Yadav in international cricket ended up sparking a fire in the new breed of Indian cricketers, who are not scared to play aggressively and expresses themselves regardless. The ability to take control over the match and showcase counterattacking against pacers and spinners is what has caught the imagination of players within and outside the Indian team.
Skipper Rohit Sharma, who generally relies on hitting conventional shots, has been trying innovative shots, validating Yadav's influence.
T20 Ranking: Suryakumar Yadav's Global Cricketing Influence
Coming in with a massive reputation, Yadav shone in his maiden T20I series for India against England in 2021, where the batter batted with absolute freedom and showed glimpses of what was in store.
The 360-degree player came into his element in 2022 when the batter elevated himself in the ICC T20I Rankings and shattered multiple records towards his path to stardom.
Yadav's breakthrough series was the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 edition Down Under, where the former KKR player stole the limelight from other more established stars. In six matches, Yadav 239 runs with three fifties, at a strike of almost 190, which includes a breathtaking 68 against South Africa at Perth.
In his short 51 T20I career, Yadav has already amassed 1979 runs with three centuries and 16 half-centuries, at an astonishing strike rate of 172.53 and a remarkable average of 46.02.
T20I Records and Milestones
- Fastest 1,000 T20I runs (573 balls)
- Highest Individual T20I Score For A Batter On No.4 Position (117)
- Second Indian T20I batter to register two 20-overs centuries in a single calendar year
- Second-fastest T20I hundred for an Indian batter (45)
- First-ever Indian batter to score T20I century against New Zealand in New Zealand
- Most T20I sixes in a single calendar year (59); also first to hit 50
- Most 'Man of the Match' Awards in T20Is for India in a single calendar year (7)
- First Indian to score a T20I century in South Africa.
Overall International Stats
| Format (matches) | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Strike-Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test (1) | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| ODI (37) | 773 | 72* | 0 | 4 | 105.02 |
| T20I (51) | 1979 | 117 | 3 | 16 | 172.54 |
Spectacular IPL Journey: Suryakumar Yadav's Memorable Performances
Suryakumar Yadav has one IPL century [Source: Twitter]
Amidst all the toiling in domestic cricket, Yadav signed his maiden IPL contract with Mumbai Indians in 2012 but made his presence felt only during his stint with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) between 2014-2017.
Yadav's second term with MI yielded the best result for his Team India aspirations, as his sparkling, well-rounded, and matured IPL 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons laid the groundwork for his India debut in 2021.
In 139 IPL appearances for KKR, and MI, combined, Yadav has accumulated 3,249 runs with one century and 21 fifties, which includes six consecutive seasons where he scored above 300+ runs in a single edition.
Memorable IPL Performances
- 103* vs GT, Mumbai, IPL 2023 - Yadav lit up Wankhede Stadium against Gujarat Titans, scoring his maiden IPL century. Yadav's blitzkrieg included 11 fours and six sixes during his unbeaten knock of 103* coming off just 49 balls. The century propelled MI to a mammoth 218, as GT fell merely 27 short, despite Rashid Khan's onslaught.
- 83 vs RCB, Bengaluru, IPL 2023 - One of his favourite IPL franchises, Royal Challenger Bangalore, once again bore the brunt of Yadav's power, this time at home in Chinnaswamy. Yadav massacred RCB bowlers and slammed a phenomenal 83 off 35, which consisted of seven 4s and six 6s, guiding MI to a memorable win chasing 200.
- 79* vs RCB, Dubai, IPL 2020 - The knock that defined Yadav's IPL career came against RCB in Abu Dhabi, as MI chased a tricky 165. On a turning pitch, Yadav oozed confidence and flaunted defiance, scoring 79* off 43 balls, laced with 10 fours and three sixes.
- 71* vs CSK, Qualifier 1, Chennai, IPL 2019 - In a rivalry for the ages, Yadav shone under immense pressure when Mumbai Indians met Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1 in Chennai. Chasing a paltry 132, MI were off to a poor start when Yadav took centerstage and anchored the Rohit Sharma-led XIs innings. The creative batter slammed 71* off 54, which included 10 fours on a tough-turning Chepauk track, and guided MI into the final with ease.
ODI Career: Suryakumar Yadav's Achilles Heel
Given Yadav's expertise in T20 cricket, the batter was expected to rekindle a similar form in ODIs as well. However, constant shuffling in the batting order and lack of composure from the MI batter left fans and supporters unimpressed.
Yadav has often been guilty of not playing according to the situation and treating the longer format as 20-overs. In 26 ODIs, Yadav has scored 511 runs including two half-centuries, with a top score of 64.
Yadav registered an unwanted record for India, becoming the only batter in ODIs to score three consecutive first-ball ducks.
Suryakumar Yadav's Test Debut and Performance
With India wanting quick runs down the order, Suryakumar Yadav made his much-awaited Test debut against Australia in Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2023. Yadav played in the first Test at Nagpur, and showed his intent on the second ball itself, sweeping another debutant Todd Murphy for a boundary.
However, Yadav looked fidgety during his small stay, which was ended by Nathan Lyon.
In the only Test that Yadav has played, he scored eight runs, with one solitary four in his innings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Suryakumar Yadav's highest score in international cricket?
A: Suryakumar Yadav's highest score in international cricket is 117, which came in a T20I against England.
Q:How many centuries has he scored in T20 cricket?
A: Suryakumar Yadav has scored four centuries in T20 cricket.
Q: Has Suryakumar Yadav won any major awards for his performances?
A: Suryakumar Yadav has won the ICC T20I Player of the Year Award for 2022.
Q: What distinguishes Suryakumar Yadav from other Indian batsmen?
A: Suryakumar Yadav's ability to score all over the ground, makes him unique from other Indian batters.
Q: How did Suryakumar Yadav perform in his first Test match?
A: Suryakumar Yadav scored eight in his debut Test for India in 2023.
Q: Is he considered for the upcoming ICC tournaments?
A: Suryakumar Yadav is a crucial member for India's upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 edition, and is in contention for a spot in CWC 2023.
In short, Yadav's two-year career can be hailed as visionary, game-changing, and stimulating that acts as a catalyst for others and bring joy and excitement to fans all across ages, creed, and region.
 "Vishal Mehra")
