Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav Ready to Bag the Openers Spot

Suryakumar Yadav was a sensation for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League this season. He finished as the highest run-getter for the franchise after being asked to open the innings with the explosive Caribbean southpaw, Evin Lewis.

It was the first time Surya was made to open in a significant competition. However, he responded in style and was quite prolific in his run scoring.

Kumar scored over 500 runs and provided Mumbai with the perfect starts on more few occasions. For his exceptional run in the IPL, Suryakumar Yadav was handed a spot in the India A team for the Quadrangular series also involving India B, Australia A and South Africa A.

During an exclusive interview with the Mumbai Indians, Suryakumar Yadav spoke on his call-up and what future has in store for him.

Suryakumar Yadav very happy with his India A call-up

“I am very happy to get an India A call-up. It is almost one step closer to the national side, but at the same time, I would like to live in the present,” Suryakumar was quoted as saying by the Mumbai Indians website. He struck as many as 61 boundaries during the 2018 season.

“I’ll just try and take one step at a time, one game at a time and the process which I am following now will be very important for me to going into the Quadrangular series,” he further added.

He further stated the preparations for the quadrangular series are going on in full swing and he is feeling delighted.

“I try to keep it very simple rather. Cricket is a very simple game if we try and keep it simple, it becomes very easy for us too.” He further added he likes to do a lot of smart practice sessions.

“I try and do a lot of smart practice; I don’t like a lot of quantity, I totally focus on quality work. If I am doing nets for around an hour, I’ll try and create a few match situations.”

Suryakumar Yadav thanks Mumbai Indians 

“I try to put myself under pressure, create such situations and practice that way so that when I face such situations in the game, it gets easier for me. I don’t like to bat for a long time like 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours. Instead, I like to bat 1-1.5 hours, take positives from that and just move out,” he further added.

Surya stated it was very kind of the Mumbai Indians to give him the opportunity at the top order in a big tournament like the IPL.

“I’ll be trying to take that as a challenge and a responsibility for my state team, try to open in One Dayers and T20s because I actually took it as a challenge and an opportunity during the [VIVO] IPL.”

He further heaped praise on the team management for giving him the opportunity.

“The MI management gave me a chance to express myself in a big tournament like the [VIVO] IPL and I really enjoyed my new role. I would really like to do it in the coming domestic season for my state,” the 27-year-old said.

He also stressed on the importance of improving the fitness levels.

“I think for a big season it is very important how your fitness levels are because as you see our season starts in September and it directly ends in March-April after the [VIVO] IPL”.

“So it becomes important to use these 2 months very smartly to become fit for the next 6 to 8 months but at the same time as the tournaments come closer you have to give a lot of rest to your body as well so that you’re fresh to play matches,” he signed off.