'AB de Villiers, if you are listening, help me...': Suryakumar's desperate call for redemption as World Cup hopes fade

'AB de Villiers, if you are listening, help me...': Suryakumar's desperate call for redemption

Suryakumar Yadav has made a sincere plea to AB de Villiers, asking for guidance to reignite his ODI career and keep his World Cup dreams alive. Known for his dynamic stroke play and 360-degree batting style, Suryakumar is often compared to the South African legend himself.

His rise through the Indian Premier League turned him into a household name and eventually earned him the captaincy of the Indian T20I side. Despite his success, Suryakumar has never met de Villiers in person but hopes to change that soon. His message is straightforward:

"AB, if you are listening, please help me revive my ODI game."

After dominating the T20I format and climbing the ICC rankings, Indian selectors backed Suryakumar in ODIs, envisioning him as a finisher who could translate his explosive T20 skills into the 50-over format. He debuted in 2021 and was part of India's plans for the 2023 ODI World Cup at home.

However, his ODI performance failed to match expectations. Across his first 30 games, he scored only four fifties, none during the World Cup itself. In total, he managed 773 runs in 37 matches with an average of 25.76 and a strike rate of 105.02.

After India’s crushing loss in the 2023 World Cup final, Suryakumar was not recalled for ODI duty, remaining focused solely on T20I cricket. His emotional appeal reveals both his passion and his hope for a late-career resurgence under the mentorship of one of his idols.

Author’s summary:

Suryakumar Yadav’s heartfelt plea to AB de Villiers highlights his struggle to revive his ODI form and his determination to keep his World Cup hopes alive through renewed guidance.

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Hindustan Times Hindustan Times — 2025-11-05

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