Suryakumar Yadav: Late, but a blitz bloom!

It was just yet another day for Suryakumar Yadav. Despite possessing world-class talent and potential, any normal cricketer would feel butterflies in the stomach while playing his first game in New Zealand. The bowling attack, which features the likes of Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner, can add more pressure to the debutant.

Hardik Pandya: I still think he (SKY) got his international opportunity two years late, God is really kind still and he has been fantastic for us.

But, Suryakumar Yadav is a rare breed which has surpassed the human tendency to feel ‘monday blues’ ahead of a highly-stake games. It was yet another day for the Mumbai batter, yet another similar situation where Team India lost its opener way too early in the game, and yet another opportunity for 32-year-old to grab the moment and make most of it, which has come a little late for sensational SKY.

He is a world-class batter; he is the new Mr. 360; he currently ranks the number 1 T20I batter and scripting his own legacy every time he steps into the field. However, all the amazing achievements Surykumar Yadav has added under to his name have come in just one year. In a year-old career, Suryakumar Yadav has sensationalised world cricket. 

‘SKY’ in IPL

Although Suryakumar Yadav broke into the international setup bit late, but he was never new to competitive cricket, as he had spent a lot of time with Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, and played enormous amunt of domestic cricket.

‘SKY’ was signed by the Mumbai Indian in 2012, but after playing one game, where he was dismissed for a duck by Marlon Samuels, he moved to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014. 

During his four year stint at KKR, Suryakumar Yadav played 54 games for KKR, usually batted at number 7, but in one match where he got to bat at number 3, Yadav scored his maiden half-century for the franchise. KKR released him ahead of 2018 and Mumbai Indians roped him back. The reunion with Mumbai Indians started on a high as SKR smashed a blistering half-century in his first match for MI, in 2018, followed by a duck and 74 off 47. By then, Surya had earned a lot of trust from his skipper, who was ready to back the batter, and rest is history.

SKY in the domestic circuit:

In his 77 First-class matches and 129 innings, Suryakumar Yadav has amassed 5326 runs at an average of 44.01. He has also scored 14 centuries and 26 half-centuries. Meanwhile, in List A cricket, Suryakumar Yadav has played 115 matches and amassed 3194-runs, averaging 36.29. 

A late but deserving bloom

The feet of a child are visible only at the cradle. Suryakumar Yadav was 31-year-old when he made his debut for India in the T20 format. Although the T20 format is best suited to younger players, experienced and prolific Suryakumar Yadav wasted no opportunity to make an impression in the international circuit. 

He smashed lethal Jofra Archer for a six on the first ball he faced in his first T20I match. He instantly became the only batter to hit a six on the first T20 international ball he faced. The middle-order batter scored a blistering half-century in that match, confirming India’s comprehensive win against the Englishmen. Since ‘SKY’ has been carving a niche in international cricket with his unique batting abilities.