Suryakumar Yadav, popularly known as Surya, celebrates his 34th birthday today. The Indian T20 cricket captain, renowned for his 360-degree stroke play, has a fascinating journey that reflects hard work, perseverance, and passion. From his early days in Uttar Pradesh to becoming a T20 sensation, his story is an inspiration for aspiring cricketers.
From Varanasi to Mumbai: The Early Days
Suryakumar Yadav was born in a middle-class family in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Since childhood, he had an affinity for both cricket and badminton, but his father urged him to pick one. Choosing cricket proved to be the turning point of his life. His uncle, Vinod Yadav, became his first coach, nurturing his budding talent.
At the age of 10, Surya’s family moved to Mumbai, where his father worked as an engineer. In Mumbai, he began training at the prestigious Dilip Vengsarkar Cricket Academy. By 2010, he was already making headlines when he played for Mumbai in the first-class cricket scene, scoring a quickfire 73 against Delhi.
Meeting Devisha: A Love Story that Blossomed in College
Suryakumar Yadav’s personal life is just as interesting as his professional career. He first met Devisha Shetty in 2010 during their college days at Podar College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai. Surya was immediately attracted to her when he saw her dancing at a college event. But it wasn’t love at first sight for Devisha, who didn’t initially pay much attention to him. However, over time, their friendship blossomed into a relationship, and the couple tied the knot in 2016 after five years of dating.
IPL Struggles and Rise to Stardom
Suryakumar Yadav’s journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a tale of grit and determination. Initially picked by the Mumbai Indians in 2012, he struggled to make an impact, failing to impress big names like Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma. However, his fortunes changed when Gautam Gambhir saw potential in him and brought him to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). There, Surya shone, becoming a reliable player and even taking up the role of vice-captain for the team.
In 2018, Mumbai Indians re-signed him, and since then, he has been an integral part of the team, delivering match-winning performances with his signature strokes, especially the ‘sweep shot’ against pacers.
T20 Sensation, ODI Disappointment
Suryakumar Yadav’s T20 career for India has been nothing short of phenomenal. With 2432 runs in 71 matches at an impressive average of 42.66, including four centuries and 20 half-centuries, he has earned a place as one of the best T20 players in the world. Recently appointed as India’s T20 captain, he has shown that he can handle the pressures of leadership and continue to perform at the highest level.
However, his ODI career has been a stark contrast to his T20 success. Despite his prowess in the shortest format, Surya has struggled to replicate that form in One Day Internationals (ODIs). In 37 ODIs, he has managed only 773 runs at a modest average of 25.76, showing that his dominance in T20 hasn’t yet translated to the 50-over format.
A Bright Future Ahead
As Suryakumar Yadav celebrates his 34th birthday, he stands as a symbol of perseverance, adaptability, and growth. From being a small-town boy to becoming India’s T20 captain, Surya’s journey shows that hard work and passion can turn dreams into reality. Whether it’s his stellar T20 performances or his love story with Devisha, Surya’s life is a true example of success on and off the field.
