India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav finally brought an end to his long wait for a half-century, and he was quick to credit a familiar voice for guiding him through the lean phase. After India’s commanding seven-wicket win over New Zealand in the second T20I at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, Suryakumar revealed that a simple yet timely piece of advice from his wife played a decisive role in his return to form.
The Indian skipper, who smashed a match-winning 82 to steer India home in a steep chase, opened up in a video shared by the BCCI on Saturday. Player of the Match Ishan Kishan, who set the platform with a blistering knock at the top, asked Suryakumar whether the constant chatter around his lack of big scores had affected his mindset.
“They’ve been calling it a lean patch. As a sportsman, I feel that those who play cricket are aware of the capabilities of the batters. I didn’t think it’d be a big deal for you. Was that playing on your mind?” Ishan Kishan asked.
Suryakumar responded by shedding light on the support system that kept him grounded during the tough phase.
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“We all have a coach at home, the one you are married to. She keeps telling me to take some time. She has seen it all and can read my mind really well. So I took her advice and played carefully at the start. I took it in the last game, and in this match also,” Suryakumar Yadav said.
The 35-year-old also reflected on how stepping away from the game helped him reset mentally. A three-week break, coupled with his disconnection from social media, allowed him to focus solely on preparation and clarity.
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“I’ve been telling everyone that I was doing well in nets. But until you score in the matches, you don’t feel that confidence. I utilised the 2–3 week gap very well, went home, cut off social media, and practised, which put me in a good mental space. Cricket is a great leveller. It’s important to have humility,” he explained.
Suryakumar also took the opportunity to underline the importance of collective contributions, playfully addressing the notion that India’s success depends on one or two players.
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“I also wanted to put an end to the perception that India wins only when Abhishek scores runs. If Ishan scores, then we can win matches. However, Abhishek is one of my favourite batters. I want him to keep scoring in every match. Cricket is a team game; you win when all eleven players contribute,” he concluded.
Suryakumar’s 82-run knock, laced with nine fours and four sixes, not only sealed a dominant chase but also marked a timely resurgence ahead of a crucial phase in India’s T20 calendar.
