Suryakumar Yadav - The story full of sacrifices

Suryakumar Yadav is widely regarded as one of the most explosive and consistent T20 batters India has ever produced. Known for his 360-degree shot-making and fearless approach, Suryakumar has carved a niche for himself in the shortest format of the game. He began his Indian Premier League (IPL) journey with the Mumbai Indians but found limited opportunities in the early phase of his career. It was during his stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders that he began to showcase his talent, eventually earning the role of vice-captain due to his growing influence and leadership qualities.

Suryakumar Yadav reveals the unheard story and how he got to play for India

However, the real turning point in Suryakumar’s IPL career came when he returned to the Mumbai Indians setup ahead of the 2018 season. Since then, he has become an indispensable part of their batting lineup, consistently delivering match-winning performances at the top and middle order. His elegant strokeplay, adaptability, and ability to score under pressure have made him a fan favourite and a dependable player in crunch moments. Not only has he excelled in the IPL, but his consistent domestic performances and dynamic batting style also earned him a call-up to the Indian national T20 team, where he has continued to impress on the international stage.

Suryakumar Yadav made his much-awaited debut for Team India in the T20I format in March 2021 at the age of 30, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his cricketing journey. Despite entering the international arena relatively late, the Mumbai-born cricketer quickly established himself as a key player with his innovative strokeplay and fearless attitude. Today, Suryakumar leads the Indian T20 side, a testament to his perseverance, hard work, and consistent performances.

Recently, Suryakumar appeared alongside his wife, Devisha Shetty, on the celebrity talk show Who's the Boss?, hosted by former India spinner Harbhajan Singh and his wife, Geeta Basra. In the candid conversation, Suryakumar opened up about the struggles and sacrifices he made in pursuit of his dream to represent India. He recalled making lifestyle adjustments, training harder, and staying focused on his goals during challenging times. He credited Devisha for being his pillar of strength throughout the journey, especially during the years when an India call-up seemed distant. Her emotional support, according to Suryakumar, played a crucial role in helping him stay motivated and positive. The episode offered fans a heartfelt glimpse into the personal side of one of India’s most dynamic T20 cricketers and an important cricket update.

“I was very content at that time [around 2016]. Whatever was happening, it was okay. I was enjoying this game. But then, it gradually dawned on me that there’s a bigger level ahead. I was scoring runs, so what’s the problem? Players from my age group were already playing for India. I was wondering what to do when madam came into the picture," stated India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav. 

“I reduced my friend circle, cut down on late-night outings and weekends. We focused on quality practice sessions and I brought some discipline into my life. One season [2018] went well, and then 2019 was even better. 2020 was like icing on the cake. We started in 2018 and, from the first year, the graph started rising. Because the door was not opening alone, we broke it together,” the 34-year-old added.

Devisha Shetty humbly declined to take full credit for Suryakumar Yadav’s rise in international cricket. Speaking on the show, she acknowledged that while she stood firmly by his side, the real drive came from Suryakumar himself. According to her, he always had a deep desire and determination to represent India, and her role was simply to offer emotional support during difficult times. Devisha added that she believed in his talent from the very beginning and made sure he stayed focused and motivated. By creating a positive and calm environment around him, she hoped to help him remain mentally strong and chase his goal with confidence. Her support, though understated, clearly made a difference in his journey to the top.

“At that time, when we got married, that extra push that, ‘I want to go further, I want to do this’, it was there, but it was not as strong as it should have been. I noticed that no one is giving him that little bit of that push. That was not coming from anywhere. It took me a year to make him understand that friends and all are great. Have a good time, but do not let that compromise with your work," Devisha said.