Suryakumar Yadav makes passionate 'Test comeback' appeal to Gautam Gambhir

The 33-year-old India National Cricket Team middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav has made it very clear that he eyeing a comeback to the Test squad ahead of the long red-ball season with the series against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia lined up.

Suryakumar made his Test debut for India in the high-profile Border-Gavaskar series at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur in February 2023. He faced 20 balls in India's only innings and scored 8 runs, before being dismissed by Nathan Lyon.

That remains the only red-ball game he played for India National Cricket Team, and currently, he is no longer in the scheme of things for Test cricket.

He was even removed from the ODI setup following his appointment as T20I captain, but the team management has made it clear that the door is open for his return to longer formats.

Suryakumar Yadav is a highly experienced campaigner and has already featured in 82 first-class games. He has had enormous success as well as he has scored 5628 runs at an average of 43.62.

The veteran batsman will play in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament, followed by the Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy. If he manages to impress the selectors with his good performances, he might even be re-called to the Test team.

However, his comeback journey to India's red-ball team won't be easy as the likes of Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel have delivered sensational performances in the limited opportunities they have received.

Suryakumar Yadav also acknowledges the competition as he said that the players who have performed well deserve a spot in the Indian team before him.

"There are a lot of players who have worked hard to earn their place in the Test squad. Even I want to earn a place in that Test squad. After I made my debut for India in Tests, I got injured. A lot of players who got opportunities have done well. Those are the players who deserve the opportunity right now," said Suryakumar Yadav on Monday, as quoted by Indian Express.

Going forward, if I have to play, that is not in my control - Suryakumar Yadav

The 33-year-old further said that he wants to don the whites for India once again, but the selection is not in his control, and he just needs to focus on his performances.

"Going forward, if I have to play, that is not in my control. What is in my control right now is to play this tournament (Buchi Babu), go on to play the Duleep Trophy, and then we will see what happens,” Suryakumar Yadav added.

Suryakumar Yadav added that the red-ball format is quite challenging for the players as they need to stay one step ahead all the time. He elaborated:

“This format is a little challenging. You have to be one step ahead. You cannot bat like you do in a T20I match. But at the same time, intent is very important, including the body language you carry onto the ground. The thinking part of what needs to be done has to be done during the practice sessions.

"You cannot go to the game and think too much. What is in your control are the practice sessions and what you do until the start of the game. If you do well, stay humble. If you do not do well, go back to the basics and drawing board, start, and comeback again."