Suryakumar Yadav Eyes Test Cricket Spot Amidst Intense Competition

Indian T20I star Suryakumar Yadav aims to secure a spot in the Indian Test team, emphasizing his dedication to red-ball cricket. Despite being a white-ball regular, he has only played one Test. The 33-year-old batsman will participate in domestic tournaments to make his red-ball cricket comeback.

Indian T20I batting sensation Suryakumar Yadav has expressed a keen desire to "earn a spot" in the Indian Test team, stating that red-ball cricket remains a top priority for him. India is set to play 10 Tests in the upcoming months. Although a regular in India's white-ball setup, Suryakumar has so far played only one Test match—against Australia in February 2023, where he managed to score eight runs in his only innings. Additionally, he was named as one of the reserves in the ICC World Test Championship Final squad the same year.

With the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, and Rajat Patidar also vying for slots, Suryakumar acknowledges the tough competition ahead. "Many players have worked extremely hard to secure their places, and even I want to earn that spot again," Suryakumar said, as quoted by ICC.

"I made my Test debut for India but then got injured. Others have since used their opportunities well. They deserve their place right now," he added. The 33-year-old batsman will return to red-ball cricket by playing in the Duleep Trophy for Mumbai and will also participate in the Buchi Babu tournament.

Looking ahead, Suryakumar is keen on making a significant impact. "If I have to play, I will automatically get the opportunity. What I can control now is to perform well in the Buchi Babu tournament and the Duleep Trophy and then see what happens," he said.

"Yes, I am excited for the ten upcoming Test matches. Red-ball cricket has always been my priority. Growing up in Mumbai, I started with the red cherry and have loved the longest format since," he added. In his 82 first-class matches, he has scored 5,628 runs with an average of 43.62, including 14 centuries.

"I've been part of many first-class matches for over ten years and still cherish this format," he concluded. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)