Did Suryakumar Yadav's Wife Help Him Break His 468-Day T20I Fifty Drought?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Support from loved ones can play a crucial role in an athlete's performance.
- Stepping back from social media can enhance mental well-being.
- Team effort is essential in achieving victory in sports.
- Suryakumar's performance highlights the significance of personal resilience.
- Abhishek Sharma is recognized as a key player for the Indian team.
Raipur, Jan 24 (NationPress) Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed that the crucial advice from his wife was instrumental in helping him overcome a long-standing challenge, resulting in his first half-century in 468 days. This achievement contributed significantly to India's convincing seven-wicket victory against New Zealand in the second T20I at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium on Friday.
In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday, Ishan Kishan, who earned the Player of the Match award, queried Suryakumar about his slow innings start, stating, “They’ve been referring to it as a lean patch. As an athlete, I believe that cricketers understand the abilities of their fellow batters. I didn’t think it would weigh heavily on you. Was that thought on your mind?”
Suryakumar acknowledged his wife's input, saying, “We all have a coach at home, the one we marry. She consistently advises me to take my time. She knows me well and can read my thoughts accurately. So, I heeded her advice and played cautiously at the beginning. I applied it in the last game and again in this match.”
At 35, he also talked about the benefits of a three-week hiatus and how stepping back from social media has positively impacted his mental health, aiding him in achieving desired outcomes.
“I’ve been telling everyone that my performance in the nets was good. However, until you score in real matches, confidence is elusive. I made the most of the 2-3 week break, returning home, disconnecting from social media, and practicing, which placed me in a favorable mental state. Cricket is a great equalizer. It's essential to maintain humility,” he stated.
The Indian T20I captain playfully nudged Abhishek Sharma, who has been a standout player for India over the past year, while emphasizing the team's collective effort.
“I wanted to dispel the notion that India can only secure victories when Abhishek scores. If Ishan performs, we can still win matches. Nonetheless, Abhishek is one of my favorite batters. I hope he continues to score in each match. Cricket is a team endeavor; victories come when all eleven players contribute,” he concluded.
Suryakumar made an impressive 82 runs off just 32 balls against the Blackcaps, hitting nine fours and four sixes during his innings.