‘My ODI stats are so poor’ - Suryakumar Yadav on being sidelined from 50-over side

Published - 19 Oct 2025, 16:17 IST | Updated - 19 Oct 2025, 16:36 IST

Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, who led the team to the Asia Cup 2025 title in September, remains out of contention in ODI and Test cricket. While widely regarded as one of the best batters in the shortest format, Suryakumar’s record in the other two formats has been underwhelming. He has featured in 37 ODIs, scoring 773 runs at an average of 25.76, and managed just eight runs in his only Test appearance.

Suryakumar believes that his inconsistent performances in lengthier formats have cost him consideration for a place in the side across formats, which has instead been handed to Shubman Gill following Rohit Sharma’s exit. Rohit stepped away from Test cricket in May this year, ahead of the England series, and Gill was subsequently appointed captain in the format. As the Men in Blue play Australia in a multi-format series, the 26-year-old has also been named ODI captain.

"Apne numbers itne bekaar hain ODI mein (My ODI stats are so poor)! They gave me so many opportunities. I got to play 25-30 (sic. 37) matches. And if I couldn't grab an opportunity even after this, it means there is definitely something going wrong," Suryakumar told News24 Sports as quoted by NDTV.

"Now I think that if I had done well in the ODI format, just like how T20I captaincy is going now, I could have got the ODI captaincy as well. I'm thinking about it now. Earlier, I didn't think about it. Because the format is 30 overs longer. The ball colour is the same. The jersey is almost the same. Even now, I will try. I'll give it my 100 percent. It's always been a dream," he added.

Suryakumar Yadav on losing T20I captaincy to Shubman Gill

India are set to play a three-match ODI series against Australia, starting October 19. The Men in Blue struggled in the rain-interrupted opening match, managing a modest total with the bat. The ODI series will be followed by a five-match T20I series, where Suryakumar will lead the side, with Gill serving as his deputy.

"When we are at home, we discuss this a lot. I talked to my wife about it, saying that if I had done well in ODI cricket, you never know. When Rohit bhai (brother) retires from ODI captaincy, who will lead then? If you are performing well, you can be a good contender. But even now, the opportunity in ODI cricket hasn't come yet," said Suryakumar.