India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has expressed his desire to play Test cricket for India again, and he is looking to earn a spot in the red-ball team by doing well in domestic cricket. The 33-year-old right-handed batter from Mumbai made his Test debut for India against Australia in Nagpur on February 9, 2023, and scored eight runs in the first inning. He was dropped from the playing XI for the second Test and was never considered for a place in the squad again.
But with India set to play 10 Tests in the next four months, Surya has one goal in mind, and that is to ‘earn a place in the Test squad’. He will play for Mumbai in the Buchi Babu Tournament on Tuesday (August 27) and then represent India C in the Duleep Trophy, which starts on September 5.
“There are a lot of players who have worked hard to earn their place in the Test squad. Even I want to earn a place in that Test squad. After I made my debut for India in Tests, I got injured. A lot of players who got opportunities have done well. Those are the players who deserve the opportunity right now. Going forward, if I have to play, that is not in my control. What is in my control right now is to play this tournament (Buchi Babu), go on to play the Duleep Trophy, and then we will see what happens,” Surya was quoted as saying by Indian Express.
According to Surya, who made his first-class debut for Mumbai in December 2010 and has played 82 matches so far, the longest format of the game is very close to his heart, and he has always enjoyed playing it, which is why he is taking part in Buchi Babu as well.
“When I grew up playing in the maidans of Mumbai and played local cricket, I started playing red ball. The love for red-ball cricket started from there. It has always been there. I have played a lot of first-class cricket for close to 10 years. I made my Mumbai debut in 2010 (red ball) and played until at least 2020. This format has been close to my heart, and I have always enjoyed playing it. That is why I am here ahead of the Duleep Trophy. I am fortunate to get this opportunity.”
The right-handed batter, who has made a big name for himself in the shortest format of the game, also opened up about his preparations for red-ball cricket and said he can’t bat like he used to do in T20Is.
“This format is a little challenging. You have to be one step ahead. You cannot bat like you do in a T20I match. But at the same time, intent is very important, including the body language you carry on to the ground. The thinking part of what needs to be done has to be done during the practice sessions. You cannot go to the game and think too much. What is in your control are the practice sessions and what you do until the start of the game. If you do well, stay humble. If you do not do well, go back to the basics and drawing board, start, and come back again,” Surya said.
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