Suryakumar Yadav has candidly admitted that life became challenging following his tenure as captain during India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign in March. Reflecting on the period since the tournament, the cricketer acknowledged that the transition has been far from easy, noting that honesty with oneself is essential for moving forward. After the World Cup, which saw India defend its title, Yadav was omitted from the national team following an underwhelming performance in the Indian Premier League. I don’t want to run away from that fact. Which is really special.’”, i want to earn that cap.
During a speech at an event hosted by the Mumbai Cricket Association to celebrate the T20 Mumbai League 2026, Yadav revealed that the birth of his daughter in May significantly shifted his focus. However, he has revealed that he is focused on rediscovering the player he once was. So, the focus shifted completely towards her. Suryakumar was speaking at a glittering function organised by the Mumbai Cricket Association to honour the winners of the T20 Mumbai League 2026 and celebrate the league’s growth.
He described the initial months following the IPL as particularly difficult, but credited his wife, Devisha, for helping him rediscover his love for the sport. Their discussions centered on returning to the mindset of a 15-year-old aspiring to play for Mumbai, a perspective that has helped him reignite his passion for the game. It is very difficult to lead a happy life, if you are not honest with yourself. Since she was born, have been very beautiful, the last few months. “Then I thought, why not go back to thinking about how I was before. He also revealed that he had a free discussion with his wife Devisha who has motivated him. “I sat down and started discussing all these things with my wife. According to she, The same thing: I think you need to bring back the love and passion for the game that you had when you were a 15-year-old kid who wanted to represent Mumbai in the Under-15 age group. And I am following the same approach now that I did 10-15 years ago — training again and pursuing the same passion and love for the game. According to and that’s what I am doing right now,” he, Adding, “The main goal is what I used to think about earlier: win games for Mumbai and win the championship for Mumbai.”.
The veteran batsman emphasized that he is now training with the same intensity he possessed over a decade ago. His primary objective is to contribute to Mumbai’s success and secure championships for the state side. He noted that despite not playing in the most recent Ranji Trophy season, his hunger and dedication to the Mumbai dressing room remain as strong as they have been during his 16-year association with the team. And that hunger, energy and passion are still there, i have always been around; I have been here for the last 16 years.
Addressing the next generation of talent, Yadav stressed that the ultimate ambition for young players should be playing for Mumbai rather than focusing solely on IPL opportunities. He encouraged budding cricketers to prioritize earning a place in the Mumbai team, beginning with age-group and first-class representation. He described this journey as a deeply meaningful experience that remains the bedrock of a successful cricketing career.
Looking toward future fixtures, such as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Yadav expressed his readiness to continue learning from his teammates. He remains committed to leading the squad, expressing both pride and privilege in representing the association. The event itself served as a platform to highlight the growth of the T20 Mumbai League, which is set to expand to a nine-team format in the men’s category next year, further underscoring the ongoing development of cricket in the region.
