Suryakumar Yadav is the no.1 batter in the T20I format but he is yet to find his feet in India's ODI squad. Suryakumar has not been able to "crack the code" in ODIs despite getting backing from the captain Rohit Sharma and the team management. From auditioning for the much-talked-about no.4 role, Suryakumar has struggled in the middle order.
Despite an ordinary record in ODIs so far, he was picked in the 18-member squad for the Asia Cup and is expected to make it to the World Cup team as well. The Mumbai batter with unorthodox technique is determined to excel in the One-Day format and is looking to find the balance.
"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 which I'm really looking forward to doing well in," Suryakumar was quoted as saying by Star Sports.
"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," he said.
Suryakumar also said that he likes to remain in "top gear" even if he gets out for a duck or bats longer in the middle.
"I always remain in top gear. I always feel excited when I am in the dugout because I eagerly wait for the time when I will go to bat. Also, if I get dismissed on the first ball, still I have no problem because my preparation and excitement inside the dugout remain the same," he explained.
"My heart rate becomes high when a wicket falls every time, thus I always run into the crease because I feel good when my heart rate is high.”
The 32-year-old considers ODI cricket a combination of the three formats as he said, "The reason behind this is because here you have to play like the other three formats. First by setting down with calmness and composure, then rotating the strike well, followed by at last the T20 gameplay."
The Mumbai-born batter is not resting on his laurels and is willing to take advice from seniors to justify the faith of team management.
The 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 (Dravid) sir, Rohit bhai, and Virat (Kohli) bhai. Hopefully, with this tournament going forward, I will crack the code," he said.
"I am just trying to keep my intent and approach the same at least because it's very important to stick to your approach when you are playing this sport. But I am trying to play with the situation.”
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