Suryakumar Yadav Takes Full Responsibility for His ODI Struggles

Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav made his One Day International (ODI) debut on July 18, 2021, against Sri Lanka, subsequently representing the national team in 37 matches. His most recent appearance in the 50-over format came during the 2023 Cricket World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023. Over the course of his ODI career, the right-handed batsman accumulated 773 runs at an average of 25.76. In the high-stakes final, he contributed 18 runs off 28 deliveries as India fell short against Australia.

Reflecting on his international career, Suryakumar acknowledged that while his opportunities in Test cricket were fleeting—restricted to a single match before other players returned—his most profound disappointment lies within the one-day format. Despite understanding the specific demands of ODI cricket, he has been candid about where he personally fell short.

“Hypothetically speaking, one could argue that had I debuted earlier, say in 2016, I would have established myself in Test cricket and performed well in ODIs. But looking at the reality of my career, in Test cricket, I only played one match and one innings before other players returned, and I did not receive another chance,” Suryakumar stated on Aakash Chopra’s YouTube channel.

“But with One-Day cricket, yes, I am definitely disappointed with my own performance. It is a white-ball format just like T20, but to be completely honest, I personally feel I did not put in the hard work that the format demanded,” Suryakumar added.

The Specific Demands of One-Day Batting

Suryakumar believes that ODI cricket presents a unique set of challenges that require a distinct skill set and mental approach compared to other formats. The format demands a careful balance between building a stable innings and accelerating at the precise moments required, a technical balance he struggled to master during his limited appearances.

“In my opinion, ODI cricket is the most difficult format for a batter, whether you bat lower down the order or anywhere else,” Suryakumar opined.

Despite understanding the technical requirements of one-day batting, Suryakumar admitted that he failed to develop the necessary preparation and practice routines required to excel in the format. He acknowledged that his relatively brief ODI career passed too quickly for him to maximize his potential and capitalize on the opportunities he received.

“I feel I couldn’t crack the method for that. Even though I knew I was likely to bat at five or six, I still didn’t work hard enough to truly master that format,” he further noted.

Taking Full Responsibility for ODI Performance

Suryakumar has openly discussed his ODI regrets with his family at home, acknowledging that the lack of dedicated preparation directly resulted in subpar performances. He recognized the direct correlation between the specific effort he invested in different formats and the results he achieved on the field.

“We have this discussion at home too. My wife asks me, ‘Do you think you could have played more ODI cricket?’ and I tell her, ‘Yes, you’re right, I didn’t work hard enough.’ If I didn’t put in the work, I didn’t get the results. In the areas where I did put in the effort, I reaped the rewards,” Suryakumar said.

Suryakumar concluded by emphasizing the importance of honest self-reflection and personal accountability. He stressed that integrity in assessing one’s own abilities and performances is essential for personal growth and continuous improvement.

“You have to look at yourself in the mirror every day, and how can you lie to the person standing in the mirror? It has to be an honest reflection,” Suryakumar concluded.

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