Suryakumar Yadav aims for National Team Return as India Faces Bangladesh in Series After 19 Months Since Debut

New Delhi: Suryakumar Yadav, who has only played in one Test match so far, is eager for another opportunity to represent India in the longest format of the game. The upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh presents a chance for him to showcase his skills once again. Suryakumar's lone Test appearance came against Australia in 2023, and since then, he has been overlooked for selection in both the World Test Championship final and the West Indies tour last year. However, the talented Indian batter is determined to prove himself and earn a spot in the Test squad for the upcoming series.

With 10 Test matches (2 vs Bangladesh, 3 vs New Zealand, 5 vs Australia) lined up for India in the last few months in 2024, all the probables have been asked by the selectors to play in the Duleep Trophy to get some red-ball match practice. Besides the Duleep Trophy, the right-hander will also play in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament against TNCA XI in Coimbatore starting on Tuesday.

“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,” Suryakumar told Indian Express. “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,” he added.

Currently India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar has a lot of experience in red-ball format while playing for Mumbai in domestic circuit. Things will be tough for the stylish batter as the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Sarfaraz Khan are also playing in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament and Duleep Trophy. All three are eyeing a spot in the Indian middle-order.

Suryakumar knows things are different in Test cricket and opined that intent is very important in the longest format. “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,” Suryakumar said.