Suryakumar Yadav, the phenomenal T20I Indian batting star, has underlined his determination to master the 50-over format as he sets up for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. He hopes to understand the secrets of excelling in this format and is excited to take on the task.
Suryakumar, who has the prominent status of being the highest-ranked T20I batter, has a bit of a checkered record in ODIs. In the 26 ODIs he’s played in, his batting average sits at 24.33, and he’s managed to maintain a strike rate of 101.38. In the most recent ODIs against the West Indies, the right-handed batter produced scores of 19, 24, and 35. However, it’s worth remembering that just before these matches, he experienced a hard spell as he produced three consecutive first-ball ducks against Australia during their home series in March.
“I feel the role which will be given to me, I will try to maintain that role, and if it’s a changed role I will try and do that. But yeah, this is one format in which I’m really looking forward to doing well. Everyone is saying that ‘T20 is going good for me, both are white ball cricket but why I am not able to crack the code in the 50-over format.’ But, I am doing my practice because according to me, this format is the most challenging one,” Suryakumar Yadav told Star Sports.
Certainly, Suryakumar realizes the reality that he hasn’t quite found his stride in the 50-overs format and is hungry to make a successful comeback. He’s fully aware that the next Asia Cup gives a fantastic opportunity, and he’s actively maintaining touch with the head coach Rahul Dravid, skipper Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli to boost his performance in ODI cricket. He emphasized his desire to embrace any position that the team management assigns him, proving his devotion to the team’s success.
“The reason behind this is because here you have to play like the other 3 formats. First by setting down with calmness and composure, then rotating the strike well, followed by at last the T20 gameplay.
“So, balance is very important in this format, and for that reason, I am doing a lot of practice and also having conversations regarding this with Rahul Sir, Rohit bhai, and Virat bhai. Hopefully, with this tournament going forward, I will crack the code,” Surykumar Yadav further added.
I am now trying to play as per the situation: Suryakumar Yadav
The right-handed batter is hopeful that his hard work in the ongoing camp in Bengaluru will help him crack the ODI code in the Asia Cup.
“For example, if I am going to bat at the 30th over and 20 overs are remaining, then from the beginning I can’t play my game as I play in T20 because there we will be only down with one wicket and here four wickets, so I have to play with that situation. So I am doing my practice in that way to decode this format, and hopefully, I will decode it with the sort of preparation I’m having,” he said.
