Sports
Suryakumar Yadav Opens Up on Early Struggles: “I Cried After Missing 2019 World Cup”
Mumbai, May 1, 2025 – India’s T20 superstar Suryakumar Yadav bared his soul in a candid April 2025 interview, revealing the heartbreak of missing India’s 2019 World Cup squad, admitting he “cried for hours” after seeing his name absent despite a stellar domestic run. Now the world’s No. 1 T20 batter, he shared how rejections fueled his rise.
Key Revelations
- 2019 World Cup Snub: Despite 1,093 runs in 2018-19 domestic seasons (Vijay Hazare, Ranji, Syed Mushtaq Ali), Suryakumar was overlooked for India’s World Cup team, a blow that left him shattered.
- Early IPL Struggles: Went unsold in the 2013 IPL auction after a modest 2011-12 stint with Mumbai Indians (MI).
- Breakthrough: Rejoined MI in 2018 after three seasons with Kolkata Knight Riders (2014-17), cementing his T20 legacy.
Emotional Quotes
- “I’d refresh the MCA website, hoping for my name. The 2019 World Cup snub broke me—I didn’t sleep for two nights.”
- “Post-2013 auction, I doubted myself. It took weeks to pick up my bat again.”
Career Resurrection Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Mumbai Indians IPL debut, 73 runs in 5 games |
| 2014 | Joined KKR, scored 607 runs over 3 seasons |
| 2018 | Returned to MI, 2,634 runs (2018-24) |
| 2021 | India T20I debut vs. England, 57* off 31 |
| 2022 | ICC No. 1 T20 batter ranking |
What Changed?
- Mentorship: Rohit Sharma urged him to “play your natural game, ignore noise,” shaping his fearless 360-degree style.
- Skill Grind: Trained under MI’s Ricky Ponting for shot innovation, mastering scoops and lofts; honed fielding with Jonty Rhodes.
- Mindset Shift: Stopped chasing selectors’ approval, focusing on consistent runs: 3,249 domestic runs (2018-21) paved his India call-up.
Advice to Young Cricketers
- “Rejections teach you more than trophies. Keep grinding.”
- “Tune out social media—it’s just chatter. Your runs will talk.”
Suryakumar, now 34, is thriving in IPL 2025 with MI (427 runs, 169.44 SR) and leading India’s T20 side. His journey from despair to dominance inspires countless dreamers, proving resilience trumps setbacks.
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