Since his debut for India in the T20Is against England last year, the middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav has taken to international cricket like a fish to the water. Surya impressed one and all on his debut with a half-century and subsequently made his debut in the ODIs as well against Sri Lanka and was adjudged the Player of the Series.
With Shreyas Iyer not available for the first couple of games, Surya started in the playing XI and became the talk of the town because of his composure in the chase while not curbing his natural game. The dashing batter remained unbeaten on 4 off 36 balls as he and the debutant Deepak Hooda got the team over the line in the first ODI against West Indies.
After the game, many suggested that Surya could be an answer to Team India’s finishing problems and if it wasn’t till then, it was made obvious in the pre-match press conference on the eve of the second ODI. Surya was asked that many have started calling him Michael Bevan, who was Australia’s prime finisher in the 50-over games.
A little surprised with the question, Surya chuckled and replied, “Abhi toh Suryakumar hi rehne do mujhko, mushkil se 5-7 game hi khela hu abhi (Sir, I’ve just played five games or maybe seven. Let me remain Suryakumar Yadav for now).”
The 31-year further elaborated saying that his main focus would be winning the game for his side from whatever situation the team is in and in whatever situation he comes in to bat.
“Whatever number I can bat, whatever situation I am in, if I can make the team win from there, that will be my focus. But I want to be fearless as I am, always,” he further added.
Surya, who bats at No. 3 for Mumbai Indians hasn’t batted above No. 4 for India but it wasn’t a problem for him as he said that he is ready to bat wherever the team asks him to. “I am really flexible, wherever the team management wants me to bat, I am really flexible to bat at any position. Yes, I have batted at No.3, 4, and 5, really happy with the way things are going right now,” he said.
India will take on the West Indies in the second ODI in Ahmedabad on Wednesday and will look to seal the series.
