Durban [South Africa], November 8, 2024: As India prepares for the opening T20I against South Africa in Durban, Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed speculation about his potential return to the Test squad, stating he’s focused on his current role and will let the future unfold as it may. The Indian team, eager to maintain their T20I momentum, is set to begin their South African tour with four T20Is, the first of which kicks off on Friday.
“If a Test comeback is meant to happen, it will,” Suryakumar said at the pre-match press conference. “I’m playing in all formats in domestic tournaments, be it red-ball or white-ball. I don’t miss any games. When the time comes, I’ll be ready.” Suryakumar, a mainstay in India’s white-ball setup, has played only one Test, scoring eight runs against Australia in 2023, and was a reserve for the ICC World Test Championship Final squad.
Reflecting on India’s Recent Test Series Loss
India’s recent 0-3 Test series whitewash at home to New Zealand—India’s first Test series defeat at home in 12 years—raised questions about the Test team’s stability. Suryakumar, however, maintained that ups and downs are natural in sports. He shared his admiration for Test and ODI skipper Rohit Sharma’s unwavering character. “Whether Rohit is performing well or not, his character remains the same. That’s a quality every sportsman should strive for,” he noted.
Confidence in Adapting to South African Pitches
With a strong T20I record in South Africa (six wins out of nine matches), Suryakumar expressed confidence in handling the bouncy pitches. “We’re accustomed to good bouncy pitches in India, so it’s not unfamiliar territory,” he stated. “We played here last year, so we understand the conditions and have a game plan in place.”
Upcoming T20I Series Schedule
The series will continue after the opener in Durban with the second T20I at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha on November 10, followed by matches in Centurion and Johannesburg on November 13 and 15, respectively.
India’s T20I Squad
The squad for this series includes a mix of established players and emerging talents: Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, and Yash Dayal.
As the T20I team takes on South Africa, Suryakumar remains focused on leading with intent and enthusiasm, confident that his Test future will take shape as the time comes.
