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Suryakumar Yadav has opened up about why his success in T20 cricket did not translate into the ODI format.
The Mumbai batter played 37 ODIs between 2021 and 2023, scoring 773 runs at an average of 25.76. His final ODI appearance came in the 2023 World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad, where he scored only 18 runs from 28 balls as India suffered a heartbreaking defeat. Amid this, Prince Yadav clears fitness test ahead of Afghanistan series.
Suryakumar Yadav opens up on ODI career struggles
Suryakumar Yadav admitted that he feels disappointed with his ODI career. The former T20I captain said that he didn’t get chances in Test cricket, but when it comes to ODI cricket, it was his own fault that he failed to replicate his T20I success.
The right-handed batter openly admitted that he did not work hard enough for the demands of the 50-over game. Speaking with Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel, Suryakumar Yadav said, "Hypothetically, we can say anything; had I arrived in 2016, I would have played Tests and done well in ODIs.
But looking at reality, in Test cricket, I only played one match and one innings before other players returned, and I didn't get another chance. But with One-Day cricket, yes, I am definitely disappointed with myself. It's a white-ball format just like T20, but to be completely honest, I personally feel I didn't put in the hard work that the format demanded.”
Suryakumar Yadav calls ODI cricket the toughest format for batters
The right-handed batter has called ODI cricket the most difficult format for batters. A player has to change his approach many times during the same innings. Amid this, Suryakumar Yadav opens up on losing India captaincy as he questions decision.
Suryakumar further said, “In my opinion, ODI cricket is the most difficult format for a batter, whether you bat lower down the order or anywhere else. If you bat at four, you might walk in at 0/2; if you bat at six, it could be 24/4. You have to start almost like a Test match, respect the bowlers, see them off, build your innings at a strike rate of 50 or 75, then accelerate to 100, and eventually push to 130-140 at the death like in T20s.”
🚨Suryakumar Yadav on ODI cricket.🚨
— Indian Cricket 🏏 (@Indiancric1cm) August 29, 2026
"I feel that the ODI format is the toughest format for a batter." pic.twitter.com/NiDhg00FNC
Suryakumar Yadav takes full blame for his ODI failures
Meanwhile, Suryakumar said the issue was with his own preparation. He admitted that he knew he could bat at Nos. 5 or 6 but still failed to fully understand and master the demands of ODI cricket.
He even discussed it at home with his wife. She has also asked him whether he could have played more ODI cricket, and Suryakumar accepts that he could have done better if he had worked harder.
Suryakumar explained that he pushes himself beyond his normal limits in the T20Is, saying the results clearly depend on the effort put in behind the scenes.
He also believes in being completely honest with himself. The former captain feels a player must look at himself honestly every day and accept his mistakes instead of finding excuses.
