TimesofIndia.com in Chennai: Suryakumar Yadav was all relaxed, had a nice laugh when MS Dhoni was referred to as an “uncapped player” and looked upbeat for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This edition carries an additional layer of significance for Surya who hasn’t had the best of times with the bat since taking over T20I captaincy from Rohit Sharma after the World Cup last year. India operated without fear and have had a splendid run under new head coach Gautam Gambhir in the bilaterals which followed but the spunk has been missing from Surya’s blade.
Fifteen outings as a captain have yielded a meagre 258 runs and struggles continued in the domestic circuit for Mumbai too. The bat which once breathed fire has been ice cool for a very long time and the IPL presents an opportunity to get back amongst the runs. The right-hander enjoyed a lot of success at No. 3 but has himself pushed down the order to accommodate Tilak Varma who has been in red hot form. While the move paid rich dividends for the young left-hander, Surya’s batting stock has been on a bear run since then.
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With the Mumbai Indians, he will be free from captaincy duties, except the first game where he is leading because of Hardik Pandya’s slow-over rate suspension, and would look to rediscover the mojo in the next few weeks. When asked about the return to No.3 spot, Surya kept cards close to his chest and asserted he is flexible to bat anywhere in the batting order.
“It’s always good to have that impact at the top. And I have seen that guy (Tilak), he has been working really hard. So for Team India, I thought it would be better if he can bat at number 3 and I can take the responsibility at number 4. Because for me, I think batting number doesn’t matter. I will try and bat the same way, try and make that impact whenever there is an opportunity. And so does he. So you might see guys being flexible during this season, during this stint with the IPL. And everyone is flexible. Even I can bat at 3… I can bat at 5, Tilak can bat at 5. So it’s that flexibility we have in our team,” said Surya at the pre-match presser in Chennai.
The 34-year-old continues to work hard in the nets and is hoping luck remains on his side during the cash-rich league. Clear mindset has always been the key and the right-hander wants to find that “sweet spot” consistently this season.
“With the form, I think the harder you work, the luckier you get. If it has to come, it will come anytime. But I am actually a process-oriented man. I love to work hard in the nets. And if the runs have to follow, it will follow quickly. I love to follow a good process, good routine when I am there during practice sessions. If I am practicing well, hitting the ball really well in the nets. When I go into the game, if my mind is clear, I know what I have to do. That is the moment, that is the sweet spot for me. When I know that I am in good space and I will get runs for the side,” explained Surya.
Mumbai Indians get their campaign underway on Sunday and the focus will remain on Surya, and his returns with the bat, as the Indian cricket team has a heavy T20I calendar before the T20 World Cup next year and the last thing the side would want is the skipper’s extended lean patch with the bat.
He will have his “eyes wide open” keeping track of his India teammates but the extra significance the season carries will certainly be a test of Mr 360’s character.
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