Suryakumar Yadav recently reflected on the emotional turmoil he faced after being left out of India’s squad for the 2020 Australia tour, despite being in top form. He recalled how the snub hit him hard, leaving him feeling lost and disconnected for a few days. During this time, he took a break from cricket to clear his mind. However, he channeled his frustration into an unforgettable performance in the IPL, scoring an unbeaten 79 off 43 balls against RCB, leading Mumbai Indians to victory. This moment became a turning point in his career, eventually earning him recognition as one of the best T20I batters in the world.
Suryakumar Yadav Opens Up About Emotional IPL 2020 Knock After National Team Rejection
Mumbai Indians’ star Suryakumar Yadav recently took a heartfelt trip down memory lane, revisiting his iconic innings against Royal Challengers Bengaluru during the 2020 IPL season. Speaking to Star Sports, the 33-year-old revealed how deeply hurt he was after being left out of India’s squad for the Australia tour, despite being in the form of his life.
“Everyone thought I’d be on that flight to Australia,”Suryakumar Yadav said. “When I wasn’t picked, it broke me. I stopped talking to anyone for a few days. My mind wasn’t right, so I just paused everything.”
That pain, however, turned into purpose. In a crucial match against RCB, SKY walked in at No.3 and stunned everyone with a sensational unbeaten 79 off 43 balls. His fearless strokeplay and calm composure led Mumbai to a smooth victory, sealing the game with five balls and five wickets to spare.
Fans also remember the intense on-field moment between Suryakumar and Virat Kohli that night, a silent stare-off that made headlines. Interestingly, Kohli would later back SKY at No.3 in the national T20I squad.
Since then, Suryakumar Yadav’s rise has been phenomenal. With over 2500 international runs, four T20I centuries, and the title of World No.1 T20I batter, he’s become a pioneer in modern white-ball cricket. Recently surpassing 4000 IPL runs, Suryakumar now leads India in T20Is—proof that setbacks can often spark greatness.
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