Suryakumar Yadav eyes return to India's Test squad
Indian cricketer Suryakumar Yadav has expressed his ambition to return to the national Test team. He acknowledged the challenges ahead, given that players like Sarfaraz Khan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Rajat Patidar are currently prioritized. Despite this competition, Yadav remains undeterred in his quest for a comeback. "There are a lot of people who have worked really hard to earn their place and even I want to earn that spot again," he stated during the Buchi Babu Invitational tournament.
Yadav's journey and future aspirations
Yadav played his solitary Test in February 2023 before being left out. Since then, other players have seized their opportunities and performed well. Despite that, the dasher is still determined to represent India in whites again. "I made my debut for India in Tests. After that, I got injured as well," he said, adding that those who have done well deserve the current opportunities.
Yadav's strategy for Test comeback
Yadav is currently concentrating on the Buchi Babu tournament and the Duleep Trophy, with hopes of making a strong impression. "What's in my power right now is to play the Buchi Babu tournament, go on to play the Duleep Trophy and then see what happens," he explained. He also expressed his excitement about India's upcoming 10 Test matches, stating that he's "obviously excited for some red-ball fun."
Yadav's love for red-ball cricket and T20I captaincy
Yadav has not participated in a red-ball cricket game since last year's Duleep Trophy due to injuries. However, he remains hopeful that his performance in domestic tournaments will pave his way back into the Test squad. After being appointed as the full-time T20I captain following Rohit Sharma's retirement, Yadav led India to a 3-0 T20I series victory against Sri Lanka. "Red-ball cricket has always been my priority," he said.
Yadav's preparation for upcoming domestic season
Yadav views the upcoming opportunity with Mumbai as a chance to quickly acclimate to red-ball cricket before the domestic season commences. He emphasized the importance of game-time experience in preparing for future challenges. "We are fortunate to have this tournament because we don't get many multi-day games back home during this weather," he said, highlighting the value of endurance training in match conditions.
