India are set to play as many as 10 Tests in the coming few months including two against Bangladesh, three against New Zealand and five on the tour of Australia. With a new coach in Gautam Gambhir taking charge, the few red-ball matches India Test hopefuls are taking part in the lead up to the start of international season have gained significance. While a few names will be automatic choices given their past records, others have a good platform to make an impression and challenge the incumbents.
Among the challengers is Suryakumar Yadav, a bona fide T20I superstar. Known for his aggressive, unorthodox style, he’s aiming to make a return to the Test side having made his debut in the format last during during the home series against Australia. He scored eight runs in his first Test innings and that remains his only such game for India. He wants to present a strong case for his return in the Test setup and by taking part in the ongoing Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in Tamil Nadu and the Duleep Trophy 2024, and peeling off good scores, he will be aiming to do so.
Having made his name in IPL and then in T20Is, Suryakumar says his priority though always has been to play red-ball cricket. “The love for red-ball cricket has always been there,” the 33-year-old was quoted as saying by The Times of India. “Though I made my debut for India in the shorter formats first, I have always enjoyed playing this format. Red-ball cricket has always been the first priority. There is no question about it and that is why I am here ahead of the Duleep Trophy.”
Suryakumar knows he will have to curb his natural instinct in order to enjoy sustained success in red-ball cricket. He’s well aware of that and the experience speaks. Suryakumar packs an experience of 82 first-class matches in which he has scored 5628 runs at 43.62. He has 14 centuries and 29 half-centuries.
“This format is a little challenging,” Suryakumar said. “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,” he added.
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