Team India batter Suryakumar Yadav has expressed his gratitude towards captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid for their guidance during his shift from T20 Internationals to One Day Internationals. In a conversation with Star Sports prior to the World Cup 2023 semi-final against New Zealand, Yadav detailed how the captain-coach duo played a pivotal role in helping him adapt to the 50-over format.
Initially making a name for himself in the T20 format with outstanding performances, both in the Indian Premier League and for the national team, Yadav quickly rose through the ranks. His exceptional skills in the T20 arena, particularly his ability to play shots all around the ground, led to his inclusion in the ODI squad. However, this transition was not without its challenges, as Yadav faced considerable difficulties in adjusting to the nuances of ODI cricket.
"Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid have played a huge role in my transition from T20Is to ODIs. It has taken a long time for me to understand the format. People were saying that the colour of the ball is the same, so why was I not able to adjust? There is no shame in admitting that I had a poor start to my ODI career," Suryakumar said on Star Sports.
The Indian team showed faith in Yadav, allowing him ample time – about 30 ODI matches – to find his footing in this format. During this period, both Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid approached him to discuss the expectations and strategies required for his role in ODIs. Their support and advice were crucial in Yadav's development and understanding of the game.
"I watched a lot of players play the format, watched everything carefully. Rahul Dravid and Rohit told me that we want to know how you can play 50-55 balls and they gave the responsibility to me. I understood that I need to start my innings like a Test match. Start slowly and then gradually build my innings. And in the final 8-10 overs just go full blast and I practice the same in the nets," the Indian batter further added.
Yadav's contribution in the World Cup 2023 has been noteworthy, especially in the match against England. In challenging batting conditions, he played a vital innings of 49 runs off 47 balls, contributing significantly to India's total of 229/9. Though Yadav was dismissed by David Willey in the later stages of the innings, his efforts laid a foundation for the Indian team. Subsequently, India's bowling unit took charge, dismissing England for just 129 runs, showcasing the team's collective strength.
Yadav's journey in the ODI format, bolstered by the support of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, underscores the importance of mentorship and adaptation in international cricket. His experience reflects the challenges and rewards of transitioning between formats at the highest level of the sport.
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