Dropped from T20I squad, Suryakumar Yadav sends reminder with Mumbai T20 League blitz

Suryakumar Yadav has sent a stirring reminder to the national selectors that you simply cannot keep a good player for long. Just days after losing his place in the Indian team, the 35-year-old middle-order batsman bounced back in style with a batting masterclass at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Monday.

The explosive knock came at a crucial moment for the batsman, who was recently dropped from India’s upcoming T20I tours of Ireland and England. With the national selectors opting for a new direction, the man affectionately known as ‘SKY’ took to the local scene to prove he still has plenty of fire left in his belly.

“Playing at the Wankhede is always special and it was great to get a run in and help the team get over the line.

Chasing a modest target of 153 against Maratha Royals, Suryakumar walked out to bat at number four and completely took the game away from the opposition. He remained unbeaten to lead his franchise, Triumph Knights North East Mumbai, to a convincing win in four full overs, snapping their painful three-game losing streak.

THE SKY SHUTS OFF AN EXPLOSIVE FIFTY AT WANKHEAD

Suryakumar looked retro right from the first ball and put on a spectacular show for the local fans. He smashed a brutal 72 runs off just 36 deliveries, slicing up the field with 13 boundaries and a signature six. An idle chase gave the Triumph Knights their first ever win of the new season.

It wasn’t his only recent post either; batsman already showed signs of a return to form on Saturday as he blasted 48 off 24 balls against the SoBO Mumbai Falcons. These performances come as a huge relief to his supporters, especially after he started the local tournament with a disappointing score of 19 and 4.

WHAT NEXT FOR SURYAKUMARA YADAV?

Suryakumar’s sudden omission from the national team was a huge shocker to the cricketing world, especially as he led India to the T20 World Cup title a few months ago. However, chief selector Ajit Agarkar decided it was time for a change and named Shreyas Iyer as India’s new T20I captain following a slump in SKY’s international numbers.

Since taking over as full-time captain in July 2024, Suryakumar has struggled to achieve his usual high standards. He managed 932 runs at an average of 25.88 in 45 matches, alongside a quiet domestic season where he scored 270 runs in 13 matches.

Despite a recent dip in form, Suryakumar’s overall career record remains absolutely world-class. He still holds the record as the only player to score a T20I century in four different countries – India, England, New Zealand and South Africa. By displaying his trademark flair again at the Wankhede, the 360-degree batting master made it clear that he is ready to fight his way back into the national colours.

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Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

08 Jun 2026 19:59 IST