Suryakumar Yadav Takes Blame for Underwhelming ODI Career
Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav has admitted that he only has himself to blame for his inability to establish a successful career in One Day International (ODI) cricket. Despite becoming one of India’s most prominent T20 players, his performances in the 50-over format remained a source of personal disappointment.
Suryakumar played 37 ODIs for India, scoring 773 runs at an average of 25.76. These statistics stood in stark contrast to his impact in the shortest format of the game. His last appearance in an ODI was during the 2023 World Cup final against Australia, and he has not been selected for India’s 50-over squad since then.
Accepting Responsibility for ODI Struggles
Speaking on Aakash Chopra’s YouTube channel, Suryakumar, who led India to a T20 World Cup victory earlier this year, declined to blame selection decisions or external circumstances for his limited success in ODIs. Instead, he acknowledged his own shortcomings in adapting to the format.
"Hypothetically, we can say anything - that if I had come into the team in 2016, I could have played Tests and probably done well in ODIs too," Suryakumar said. "But the reality is that I played only one Test and one innings. After that, the other players came back and started playing again, so it didn’t happen. But definitely, I am disappointed with myself when it comes to ODI cricket."
He further explained that despite both being white-ball formats, he did not dedicate the necessary focus to the 50-over game. "It was a white-ball format, just like T20s, but to be very honest, I personally feel I did not put in as much effort as I should have for that format," he added.
The Complexities of the 50-Over Format
Suryakumar explained that ODI cricket presents unique challenges that make it arguably the most difficult format for a batter, particularly for those positioned in the middle order at number four, five, or six.
"I feel ODI cricket is probably the most difficult format to play as a batter, whether you are batting lower down the order or anywhere else," Suryakumar said. "You can be two down for zero if you are batting at No. 4, or four down for 24 if you are batting at No. 6. Anything can happen."
He noted that the format requires a blend of patience and acceleration, demanding that a batter initially respect the bowlers and build an innings gradually, similar to a Test match, before accelerating to a T20-like scoring rate later on.
Regret Over Lack of Preparation
The batter admitted that he failed to develop a clear strategy for constructing an innings in the middle order, noting that his opportunities passed by quickly without him fully grasping the format.
"Personally, I feel I could not crack how to approach that format," Suryakumar said. "I knew I was probably going to bat at No. 5 or 6, but even then, I did not work hard enough to understand the format. By the time I could blink, those 20-25 games had gone. I don’t even know when it happened or how it went by."
Suryakumar expressed regret over his ODI career but reiterated that the responsibility lies solely with him. "I definitely regret not playing more ODI cricket. I wonder why I could not do better in that format. But no one is to blame. I take the blame myself because I did not put in the extra effort that I put in now when I play T20 cricket. If I bat for an hour, I will practise for an hour and a half," he concluded.
