Suryakumar Yadav initiated his first-class cricket journey against Delhi in the 2010-11 Ranji season. Marking a remarkable start to his career, he took centre stage by notching up an impressive 73 runs, emerging as Mumbai’s highest scorer and the solitary player to achieve a half-century in the team’s opening innings. Subsequently, Yadav secured a consistent spot in the squad, contributing decently in each season. Suryakumar Yadav Biography.
His burgeoning talent attracted attention, leading to his inclusion in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Mumbai Indians roped him in during the 2011 IPL season. During his stint with the team until 2013, Yadav showcased his utility, while later he transitioned to Kolkata Knight Riders. Notably, his explosive batting style earned him consistent appearances, especially in IPL-7, largely attributed to his exceptional strike rate. Suryakumar Yadav is known for his dynamic batting prowess and an extensive array of shots, including some unconventional ones akin to those mastered by AB de Villiers. His approach makes batting appear effortless, exemplified by his impactful four-year tenure with Mumbai Indians starting in 2018. His invaluable contributions played a significant role in Mumbai Indians clinching two IPL titles, as he amassed over 1700 runs at an approximate strike rate of 140. Yadav marked his Ranji Trophy debut with a noteworthy score of 73 for Mumbai in 2010. The subsequent season saw him amass an impressive total of 754 runs across nine matches, emerging as the highest run-getter for his team. This feat included a double century against Orissa and a subsequent century. He further solidified his standing with another hundred in the Duleep Trophy, concluding the season as one of Mumbai’s top three run-scorers. With a four-season tenure at Kolkata Knight Riders, which commenced during their title-winning year in 2014, Yadav’s performance, though promising, did not fully forecast his remarkable achievements with Mumbai Indians in the years that followed. Despite accumulating 608 runs from 54 games during his time with Kolkata Knight Riders, Yadav’s true potential was yet to be fully unleashed. Yadav’s entry into the international cricket arena was belated in 2021. He immediately made a statement in his T20I debut, dispatching the first ball from Jofra Archer for a six. Early on, he showcased his mettle with two half-centuries in his initial three T20Is. The subsequent year, he delivered a standout performance by crafting a dazzling 117 off 55 balls in a game against England, even though India fell short of a colossal 215-run target set by the opponents.
In essence, Suryakumar Yadav’s cricket journey is underscored by his consistent and impactful batting prowess. His unorthodox yet effective style has earned him recognition both in the IPL and on the international stage, and his contributions continue to shape his reputation as a valuable asset in the world of cricket.
Suryakumar Yadav Cricket Career
Suryakumar Yadav marked his entry into first-class cricket against Delhi during the 2010-11 Ranji Trophy. In his debut match, he showcased his mettle by posting an impressive score of 73 runs. This early success set the stage for his promising career. During the 2011-12 season, his first complete season with Mumbai, Yadav translated his initial potential into concrete performance, emerging as the leading run-scorer for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. He stood out with a double-century against Orissa in only his third match of the season, followed by another century in the subsequent match. Notably, he continued this prolific run by concluding the season with yet another century in the Duleep Trophy. However, his form dipped remarkably in the following season, where he managed just 73 runs across six first-class innings. Suryakumar Yadav Biography.
Despite this brief setback, Yadav rebounded splendidly in the 2013-14 season, re-establishing his prominence as one of Mumbai’s top three run-getters. His consistent performances earned him recognition, leading to his inclusion in India C’s squad for the 2018-19 Deodhar Trophy. He continued to impress, finding a spot in the India C squad for the 2019-20 Deodhar Trophy as well. Notably, Yadav took on the captaincy role for the Mumbai cricket team during the 2020-21 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Suryakumar Yadav’s distinctive batting style, driven by his aspiration for innovation, aligns seamlessly with the demands of T20 cricket. With his talent acknowledged, he secured an IPL contract with Mumbai Indians in 2011, initially making appearances until 2013. Subsequently, he joined Kolkata Knight Riders, where his prowess in improvisation garnered attention. This skill proved invaluable as he consistently contributed impactful cameos, especially in IPL-7, when he was a constant presence due to his exceptional strike rate. Switching back to Mumbai Indians, Yadav’s role evolved significantly, particularly during IPL 2018 when he was designated as the opener. His exceptional consistency was instrumental in Mumbai Indians, amassing 512 runs at an average of 36.57 and a strike rate of 133.33. This achievement stood out in an otherwise challenging campaign for the franchise. Yadav’s IPL journey began with Mumbai Indians in 2011, securing his place for ₹10 lakh. He later joined Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2014 auction for ₹70 lakh. His noteworthy performances included a dazzling 20-ball 46 against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2015. After four years with KKR, he returned to Mumbai Indians in 2018, where he currently remains a pivotal player with an annual fee of around ₹3.2 crores. Suryakumar Yadav Biography.
On the international front, Yadav’s T20I debut came in March 2021 against England. In his debut game, he demonstrated his flair for innovation by hitting a six off the very first delivery he faced. This achievement marked a milestone for Indian cricket. His impressive performance continued as he secured a half-century in the series. Yadav’s impactful displays at No. 3 earned him recognition as an “X-Factor” player by his captain. His ODI journey commenced in July 2021 against Sri Lanka, where he notched up his maiden ODI fifty. Yadav’s versatility was further underscored when he was called up to India’s Test squad as a replacement.
In September 2021, Yadav earned a spot in India’s squad for the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. His cricket journey is illuminated by his consistency, innovation, and adaptability, positioning him as a valuable asset for Indian cricket.
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Suryakumar Yadav Family
Suryakumar Yadav was born on September 14, 1990, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, to Ashok Kumar Yadav and Swapna Yadav. His father, Ashok Kumar Yadav, serves as an Electrical Engineer at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), while his mother, Swapna Yadav, is a homemaker. Originally hailing from Banaras, Uttar Pradesh, the family relocated to Mumbai after his father’s appointment as an engineer at BARC. Suryakumar Yadav Biography.
Suryakumar has a younger sister named Dinal Yadav. In 2016, he tied the knot with his girlfriend Devisha Shetty, who is a dance coach.
During his early life, Suryakumar Yadav exhibited a penchant for cricket and badminton. Recognizing his interest, his father enrolled him in a cricket camp in the BARC colony in Anushakti Nagar when he was just 10 years old. He subsequently joined the Elf Vengsarkar Academy and pursued age-group cricket in Mumbai.
The cricketer’s body is adorned with various tattoos, each carrying distinct meanings. He has inked his parents’ faces on his right shoulder, their names as an ambigram on his forearm, and motivational life quotes on both forearms. Suryakumar also bears a tribal tattoo on his left arm, chest, and upper back, alongside other intricate designs like a Maori Face Tattoo, his wife’s name ‘Devisha,’ and symbolic tattoos denoting faith, strength, success, love, and more. In lesser-known aspects, Suryakumar Yadav once played badminton alongside cricket but ultimately chose the latter following his father’s advice. His garage boasts luxury vehicles such as BMW 5 Series, Tata Fortuner, Skoda Superb, Audi A6, and Range Rover. He has an affinity for bike riding and owns high-end sportbikes like Harley Davidson and BMW. Serving as the brand ambassador for the Indian sports fantasy app Free Hit, Yadav is committed to rigorous exercises to enhance his physical and mental prowess. His initial cricket training was provided by his paternal uncle, Vinod Yadav.
Suryakumar Yadav held the captaincy of the Mumbai Ranji team but relinquished it due to attitude-related concerns. Interestingly, had he not pursued cricket, he would have chosen a career as a pilot. He started his automotive journey with a Hyundai i20 as his first car and has a deep fondness for animals and birds. While Yadav embraces a diverse range of interests, he admittedly has an aversion to English songs.
 Suryakumar Yadav Controversies
During a league match in the IPL 2020, Suryakumar Yadav found himself in a confrontation with Virat Kohli. Throughout Mumbai Indians’ chase, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper engaged in a verbal exchange with Suryakumar, attempting to unsettle him. Despite the persistent chatter from Kohli, Suryakumar remained composed and refrained from responding, maintaining his focus as he guided his team to a triumphant victory. Suryakumar Yadav Biography.
Reflecting on the incident, Suryakumar Yadav characterized Virat Kohli’s on-field presence as “electric,” highlighting his intense approach towards any opposing batsman. “It’s not just me; he applies pressure on every batsman facing him,” Suryakumar Yadav remarked regarding Kohli’s demeanour. Suryakumar further shared his perspective on the situation, expressing his satisfaction with Kohli’s attempt to get under his skin.
He revealed, “I was content that he engaged in sledging against me. To me, it indicated that even Kohli recognized the potential impact of my batting on the match’s outcome. He understood that if I continued to bat, we would secure victory. Conversely, if they managed to dismiss me, it could provide them with an opportunity to slow us down and turn the tide in their favour.”
Suryakumar Yadav Awards and Achievements
Suryakumar Yadav’s impact on Team India since his debut has been remarkable. Renowned for his versatile shotmaking resembling AB de Villiers, the right-handed batsman had an outstanding year with the bat, shattering records and setting new benchmarks in the T20 format. He achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the second player to amass over 1000 runs in a calendar year in T20 Internationals, finishing 2022 as the top run-scorer with an incredible strike rate of 187.43. Let’s delve into some of the milestones he achieved during this journey.
Suryakumar Yadav made a significant impact by hitting 68 sixes in T20 Internationals during 2022, surpassing the previous record of 42 held by Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan. He showcased his dominance by recording two T20 centuries in the same year, solidifying his position as one of the world’s premier T20 batters. His maiden century came in Nottingham against England, where he smashed 117 runs off 55 balls, while his second century was a blazing 111* off 51 balls against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui.
Additionally, Suryakumar Yadav secured the distinction of being the second player to accumulate over 1000 runs in a calendar year in T20 Internationals, concluding 2022 as the leading run-scorer with 1164 runs at a staggering strike rate of 187.43. Suryakumar Yadav Biography. His contributions have earned him ten Player of the Match awards throughout his career, underscoring his pivotal role as a match-winner for India in challenging situations. Notably, he boasts the highest career strike rate of 180.34, showcasing his ability to find the boundaries consistently, even in challenging conditions.
