Suryakumar Yadav, widely recognized as India’s captain in the T20 International (T20I) format, has recently expressed his firm intention to make a significant return to Test cricket and solidify his presence in all three formats of the game. Despite his current leadership role in T20Is, Suryakumar has found himself out of favor in both the Test and One Day International (ODI) formats. To date, his record includes a solitary Test appearance back in February 2023 and 37 ODIs, with his latest ODI outing being during the ODI World Cup finals last year. Since then, India has participated in six ODIs, yet Suryakumar has been conspicuously absent from these matches.
Undeterred by recent exclusions, Suryakumar Yadav has not abandoned hopes of reviving his Test career. The 33-year-old has announced his participation in the Buchi Babu Invitational tournament. Initial selections for Mumbai’s squad in this competition did not include him, but Suryakumar later communicated his availability for the tournament’s second phase.
Suryakumar’s efforts to re-establish his red-ball credentials will see him playing under the captainship of Sarfaraz Khan, another member of India’s Test team. He is set to represent Mumbai in a match against Jammu and Kashmir in Salem, starting on August 27.
In a conversation with the Times of India, Suryakumar articulated his ambitions: “I want to play for India in all three formats. Playing in Buchi Babu will give me good practice for the red-ball tournaments this season.”
Recently, Suryakumar led India to a 3-0 victory in a T20I series against Sri Lanka, marking his initial full-time captaincy assignment in the format. With no T20Is scheduled for India until October, when they are set to face Bangladesh, Suryakumar has a valuable opportunity to immerse himself in domestic red-ball cricket, with hopes of bolstering his case for selection in India’s Test team.
The Buchi Babu Invitational is just the beginning. Following this tournament, the Duleep Trophy will commence in Anantpur, presenting another potential platform for Suryakumar Yadav to display his prowess.
. The last time he featured in first-class cricket was in July 2023. Over his 82-match red-ball career, Suryakumar has garnered 5628 runs, averaging 43.62 with an impressive record of 29 fifties and 14 centuries.
Navigating the transition between formats is a challenge that Suryakumar Yadav appears well-prepared for. His acumen in T20Is has been demonstrated consistently, and now, his focus has sharply turned to re-establishing himself in the longer formats.
The Buchi Babu Invitational tournament provides Suryakumar not only with practice but also with a highly visible stage to reaffirm his credentials as a red-ball cricketer. Success here could be the catalyst needed to reignite the selectors’ interest in his inclusion in all formats of the game.
Indeed, Suryakumar’s commitment to broadening his cricketing horizons cannot be understated. His participation in the Duleep Trophy, one of India’s most prestigious domestic competitions, will further be a testament to his persistence and determination.
India’s cricketing calendar this season presents numerous opportunities for Suryakumar to make a compelling case for himself. With his sights firmly set on multi-format relevance, Suryakumar’s journey over the coming months will be closely watched by observers and fans alike. His performance in these domestic tournaments could significantly influence the selectors’ choices for upcoming international fixtures.
In summary, Suryakumar Yadav’s resolve to make a substantial comeback in Test cricket while continuing to excel in T20Is and ODIs is clear and commendable. His engagement in domestic tournaments like the Buchi Babu Invitational and the Duleep Trophy underscores his dedication to achieving this goal. As he steps onto the field under the leadership of Sarfaraz Khan and takes on Jammu and Kashmir later this month, fans and selectors will surely be paying keen attention, hoping to witness the resurgence of a player who has shown immense potential and unwavering ambition in the cricketing arena.
