Yadav reveals Dravid’s advice during their first interaction: ‘You just need to limit a few strokes and just be yourself.’ Suryakumar Yadav has developed into one of the best players in the Indian team since Rahul Dravid took charge.
Both in T20 international cricket and other forms of white-ball cricket, Yadav has had an incredible year. Although Suryakumar has long been a member of the Indian squad, it was Rahul’s appointment as manager that really helped advance his international career.
One of the greatest hitters of all time, Dravid, according to Suryakumar, gave some advice for him to consider when they first met when Dravid entered the Indian lineup. Dravid’s first duty as head coach was to direct the Indian team during their domestic series against New Zealand in November of last year. Prior to the series’ opening Test in Kanpur, Suryakumar spoke with Dravid in considerable depth.
“During the Kanpur Test I was batting in the nets and he (Dravid) said, ‘You are looking good, you just need to curtail a few strokes and just be yourself’. At the end of the day, it’s about scoring runs in this format as well. He told me to just keep things simple and enjoy what you are doing,”
Suryakumar said.
Suryakumar has the most runs in T20Is this season. With 1,164 runs in 31 games at a strike rate of 187.43 owing to two centuries and nine half-centuries. Despite not having played a Test match, the 32-year-old had a wonderful year. Breaking the record for T20I runs scored in a calendar year.
“It’s the fruits of all the hard work I have put in over the last 10-15 years…all the sacrifices that my family and I have made together. I’m just enjoying the fruits right now and very happy to stay in this space,”
He added.
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I originally gained attention for my achievements in red-ball cricket: Yadav Suryakumar.
He has been a member of the Indian Test team on occasion and has played in games as a substitute fielder. But he has never truly broken into the starting lineup. He has a good chance of earning his Test debut shortly. Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri named Suryakumar Yadav an all-format player, and he’s not far from being one.
“I have got runs in this format as well (in first-class cricket). I enjoy batting in this format. I still remember him (Shastri) saying, ‘I was an all-format player’. So it feels really good to hear something like that from someone of his stature. I first got recognition because of my performances in red-ball cricket. So, this format (four-day) is very close to my heart,”
He told.
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