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Indian middle-order maestro Suryakumar Yadav showcased a stellar performance while delivering a game-changing 83 off 44 balls in the 3rd T20I against West Indies. His magnificent innings proved instrumental in India's chase of 169 runs, ensuring their survival in the series held at Guyana on August 8.
While Suryakumar has been turning heads with his T20I performances, his ODI journey contrasts sharply. As Team India gears up for the Asia Cup and the World Cup, there's growing concern about his ODI form. Remarkably, ahead of the Indian Premier League 2023, he encountered a string of ducks against Australia during a home series.
Speaking about his recent ODI performances, Suryakumar was candid and acknowledged the evident slump.
"Frankly, my ODI stats haven't been impressive. But acknowledging it paves the way for improvement. Both Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid highlighted my sporadic ODI appearances, suggesting intensive practice sessions," in a post-match press conference following the 3rd T20I in Guyana," He remarked.
Detailing his roadmap for the ODI World Cup 2023, Suryakumar shared the guidance provided by India's captain and coach. "Their advice was to focus on the end overs, absorbing 45-50 balls if batting in the concluding 15-18 overs. They've empowered me to devise my own approach," he added during the interview.
He also revealed that ODI cricket is a format that he finds 'challenging'. "The T20I format is something I've become accustomed to, given how frequently I play it. However, ODIs are different – we don't play them as often. I find ODIs challenging because your batting approach needs to be versatile. For instance, if I'm called in early after a few wickets, my batting resembles Test cricket. Later, it transitions to a run-a-ball, and by the end, I switch to my T20 style," shared Suryakumar in a post-match interaction.
With the ODI World Cup 2023 on the horizon, India is slated to play 7-8 preparatory games. Suryakumar believes this schedule will offer ample opportunities for the team to fine-tune their strategies. He also mentioned that a training camp is planned ahead of the tournament, allowing players to hone their individual skills.
He further commented, "I've been taking cues from the team management and am focused on aligning with their vision. Their trust propels me to do better. In T20 matches, I find it more natural to showcase my true game."
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