Follow UsNo Hardik Pandya, no Jasprit Bumrah, but Suryakumar Yadav isn’t too worried ahead of Mumbai Indians’ Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk on March 23 (Sunday). The stand-in skipper himself hasn’t been in great form in T20s since 2024, having scored 923 runs in 37 innings at a mediocre average of 26.37.
"Is that for IPL or for Team India? For IPL, IPL form has been good. 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. Someday or the other,” said SKY.
"If I am practicing well, hitting the ball really well in the nets, when I go in the game, 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."
Suryakumar is also India’s T20I captain and with the 2026 T20 World Cup set to be played at home, the 34-year-old is also on the lookout for breakout talents. "My eyes were always open, even when I was not the captain. Even when, I think, Rohit (Sharma) bhai was the captain of T20. That time also, my eyes were wide open.
“Because at the end of the day, when someone does really well in the IPL for the franchise and goes on to play for India, every player is important. So, any player who can make an impact for India, your eyes have to be wide open. And it won't be that different from all the years. I think it will be the same. Just a little bit of added responsibility. That's it."