“To be honest, my one-day numbers are absolutely bad and there’s no shame in admitting that. Everybody is aware. We all talk about honesty and you have to be, but how you can improve is more important.”
In a candid admission, stylish Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav has conceded that his one-day international (ODI) performances have been below par. He also disclosed that the team management has entrusted him with the task of finding ways to contribute effectively to the team’s objectives in the ODI format.
Suryakumar’s outstanding knock of 83 earned him the Player of the Match award in the third T20I. This pivotal performance helped India secure a commanding seven-wicket victory over the West Indies in Guyana on Tuesday, keeping their hopes alive in the ongoing five-match T20I series.
Notably, the 32-year-old’s achievement of hitting a century of sixes in T20Is puts him in elite company alongside India’s star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
The recently concluded three-match ODI series against the West Indies saw Suryakumar scoring 19, 24, and 35 runs, respectively. However, his performances in the first two T20Is were lackluster, with scores of 21 and 1. Nevertheless, he turned the tables with an outstanding display in the crucial third T20I.
Speaking during the post-match press conference, Suryakumar openly acknowledged the significant performance gap between the two white-ball formats. He stated, “To be honest, my one-day numbers are absolutely bad and there’s no shame in admitting that. Everybody is aware. We all talk about honesty and you have to be, but how you can improve is more important.”
Suryakumar mentioned that both Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid had advised him to focus more on the ODI format and play it extensively. They stressed on the importance of adapting his game according to the situation and contributing effectively, particularly when batting in the later stages of the innings.
Expressing his perspective on the challenges of ODIs, Suryakumar admitted, “One-day is a format that I don’t play much and I find it as the most challenging format.” However, he emphasized that he is actively implementing the guidance provided by the team management and is committed to transforming the responsibility into an opportunity.
The synergy between Suryakumar and young talent Tilak Varma was notable in the third T20I. Together, they ensured India successfully chased down the 160-run target with over two overs to spare. Suryakumar praised Varma’s maturity, stating that the 20-year-old possesses a strong mental game and a promising future in cricket.
As the series stands, the West Indies holds a 2-1 lead over India. The next two matches are set to take place in Florida on Saturday and Sunday, adding anticipation to the already intriguing contest. (Edited)
