After India’s 0-3 defeat to New Zealand in the recent home Test series, Suryakumar Yadav expressed his desire for a Test comeback, addressing India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma with a determined message. Although he wasn’t included in the squad for the New Zealand series, having only one Test cap to his name, Suryakumar’s recent statements highlight his continued ambitions in the red-ball format.
Currently, Suryakumar is preparing to lead India in an upcoming four-match T20I series against South Africa, starting on November 8. Reflecting on his Test aspirations, he stated that he is actively participating in all domestic competitions, whether in red-ball or white-ball formats, to maintain his form and readiness.
“When the time is right, I believe I’ll make a Test return,” Suryakumar shared. “I’m playing in every domestic game, no matter the format. If a comeback is destined, it will happen.”
Suryakumar made his only Test appearance in early 2023 against Australia, scoring eight runs in his sole innings. Later that year, he served as a reserve player for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Commenting on Rohit Sharma’s recent performances, Suryakumar praised Rohit’s character, emphasizing that he remains unfazed by temporary form, a quality Suryakumar believes all athletes should aspire to have.
Suryakumar boasts impressive stats in domestic cricket, having played 84 first-class matches, scoring 5,656 runs at an average of 42.84, including 14 centuries and 29 half-centuries. He achieved a high score of 200 in this format. He briefly captained the Mumbai team in the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy season, amassing 690 runs in ten matches before being replaced as captain. The following season, he was part of Mumbai’s title-winning Ranji Trophy squad, where he tallied 788 runs, including three centuries. He played a crucial role in the semi-final with a 115-run knock against Madhya Pradesh.
In the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy, Suryakumar once again reached the final with Mumbai, though the team ultimately lost to Gujarat. His sustained performance in domestic cricket remains a testament to his skill and dedication as he awaits another opportunity to don India’s whites.
