Suryakumar Yadav Opens Up on Overcoming Batting Slump Through Patience and Digital Detox
After enduring a challenging year with the bat in T20 Internationals, where the additional burden of captaincy seemed to weigh heavily on his performances, Suryakumar Yadav has candidly shared the personal journey that helped him rediscover his rhythm. The Indian batting star managed a modest 218 runs across 21 T20Is in 2025, sparking concerns as the national team prepares to defend their T20 World Cup title next month.
Turning the Corner Against New Zealand
Those doubts, however, have begun to dissipate during the ongoing bilateral series against New Zealand. Yadav started with a composed 32 off 22 balls in the opening encounter before unleashing his trademark aggressive style with a spectacular 82 off just 37 deliveries in the second match. This resurgence has provided a timely boost to India's middle-order confidence ahead of the global tournament.
The 'Coach at Home' and Mental Recalibration
In a revealing conversation with teammate Ishan Kishan featured in a BCCI video, Yadav credited his wife Devisha Shetty for providing crucial perspective. "There's a coach sitting at home as well, to whom I am married. She keeps telling me, 'I think you should take some time (in the middle),'" he shared. He emphasized how her intuitive understanding of his mindset helped him recalibrate his approach. "She reads my mind. I decided to take some time... and I have got a better feeling."
The right-handed batsman acknowledged that practice sessions alone couldn't replicate match confidence. "I was anyway telling everyone that I was batting well. I was trying in the nets. But no matter how much you do in the nets, until you score runs in the match, you don't get confidence," he explained with refreshing honesty.
The Power of Disconnecting and Mental Space
A deliberate break from cricket and social media platforms proved instrumental in his recovery process. "I got a good break of 2-3 weeks. I went home and cut off all social media... I practiced well in the last three weeks and I came in with a good (mental) space," Yadav detailed. This digital detox allowed him to reset away from external noise and expectations.
Kishan, who contributed significantly to the conversation, emphasized the importance of maintaining happiness, a sentiment Yadav wholeheartedly endorsed. "Cricket is a fantastic leveller... it is very important to have humility," the senior batsman reflected, highlighting the psychological aspects of professional sport.
Team Dynamics and Breaking Narratives
In a lighter moment, Yadav humorously addressed the narrative that India only wins when young opener Abhishek Sharma scores big. "... we also had to end this conversation in front of the world," he joked before emphasizing the collective nature of cricket. "If Ishan gets runs, we can win the match too... It's a team game."
The mutual admiration between the two batsmen was evident as Yadav praised Kishan's explosive 76 off 32 balls, which included the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian against New Zealand. "I have never seen anyone bat like this in my life in T20 cricket," he remarked. Kishan attributed his performance to supreme confidence, stating, "I was seeing the ball really well... even on a good ball, I felt like I would either hit it or take a single."
This candid exchange between two of India's premier T20 batsmen offers valuable insights into the mental fortitude required at the highest level, particularly as the team builds momentum toward their World Cup defense. Yadav's journey from struggle to resurgence serves as a testament to the power of patience, supportive relationships, and occasional disconnection from the digital world in regaining sporting excellence.
