India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed the ongoing speculation around his potential return to the Test format, expressing that he is not in a hurry and is willing to give it the time it needs. As India prepares for their four-match T20I series against South Africa, Suryakumar emphasised his focus on his T20 leadership role and on taking each format as it comes.
Suryakumar has become a crucial figure for India in T20I cricket, stepping up as captain following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format after India’s triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. His dynamic style and consistency have made him a fan favourite, and fans have been eager to see him make a lasting impact in the Test arena as well. However, speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of India’s T20I series opener against South Africa, Suryakumar shared that he is not rushing his return to Test cricket, as inspired by Rohit Sharma.
“Test comeback, when the times comes, it will happen by itself. I am playing all domestic tournaments, be it red-ball or white-ball. If it has to happen, it will happen. I have learned a lot from Rohit (Sharma) bhaji,” Suryakumar said.
The 34-year-old batter has only one Test appearance to his name, which came during India’s match against Australia in Nagpur in 2023. Although he showed potential in the red-ball format, he hasn’t had an opportunity to play in the format since. With India’s Test squad currently preparing for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Suryakumar’s absence from the lineup highlights that his focus remains firmly on white-ball cricket for the moment.
For fans, Suryakumar’s possible return to Test cricket remains an enticing prospect, given his unique ability to balance aggression with control. However, he has clarified that his focus is squarely on his responsibilities in T20I cricket, and he will allow the transition to Test cricket to happen naturally if and when the opportunity arises.
As India embarks on their T20I series against South Africa, Suryakumar’s form and leadership will be pivotal. Meanwhile, his patience regarding a Test comeback suggests a seasoned approach to managing his career, signalling that while he’s open to a future in Test cricket, he is more focused on his current role and ready to excel in the shorter formats.
