Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has made a public appeal to former South African star AB de Villiers, seeking guidance on balancing performance across white-ball formats. Despite leading India to the 2025 Asia Cup title, Suryakumar admits struggling to replicate his T20I success in ODIs. He wants to understand how de Villiers excelled in both formats simultaneously. The 35-year-old has not played an ODI since the November 2023 World Cup final and feels the next few years are crucial for his 50-over ambitions. With 37 ODIs and 93 T20Is for India, Suryakumar's T20I credentials are solid, but his ODI average of 25.76 remains a concern despite a strike rate above 105. He hopes a conversation with de Villiers will help unlock the formula for consistency in ODIs while maintaining his aggressive T20I approach.
Suryakumar's plea to de Villiers for format balance tips
Speaking candidly during a conversation with Vimal Kumar, Suryakumar made a heartfelt plea to de Villiers. He expressed his inability to balance his aggressive T20I style with ODI requirements, admitting he initially thought ODIs should be played like T20Is. Suryakumar requested the former Proteas legend to connect with him soon, emphasizing that the next three to four years are vital for his ODI career. His ODI average sits at just 25.76 despite a healthy strike rate of 105.02. With a crowded middle-order and ample bench alternatives, Suryakumar may need strong domestic performances to reclaim his ODI spot. He has not featured in a 50-over match since November 2023.
Source: Link