Suryakumar Yadav (full name – Suryakumar Ashok Yadav, born 14 September 1990) is an Indian international cricketer who represents India in limited-overs formats. He is a right-handed top-order batsman and an occasional right-arm medium bowler. He is known for his innovative stroke play, particularly in Twenty20 cricket.
He plays domestic cricket for Mumbai and has represented Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Yadav made his international debut in 2021 and has since become a regular member of India’s T20I side.
Career Highlights
| Achievement | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | 1990 | Suryakumar Ashok Yadav |
| Born | 1990 | 14 September 1990 |
| Birthplace | 1990 | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Spouse | — | Devisha Shetty |
| Role | — | Top-order batsman |
| Batting Style | — | Right-handed |
| International Debut | 2021 | T20I debut vs England |
| ODI Debut | 2021 | vs Sri Lanka |
| T20I Century | 2022 | First century vs England |
| IPL Team | 2012–present | KKR, Mumbai Indians |
| Captaincy | 2023 | Led India in T20Is (stand-in) |
| Notable Records | 2022–23 | No.1 ranked ICC T20I batsman |
| Jersey Number | — | 63 |
Suryakumar Yadav is regarded as one of the leading T20 batsmen of his generation. He gained prominence for his ability to score across all areas of the field and maintain a high strike rate under pressure. His performances in international T20 cricket, particularly between 2022 and 2023, established him as a consistent match-winner for India. Yadav’s rise to the top of the ICC T20I rankings reflects his impact in the shortest format. In domestic and IPL cricket, he has been a key contributor for Mumbai teams, combining consistency with adaptability. His role in India’s middle order has been significant in modern white-ball cricket.
Early Life and Background
Suryakumar Yadav was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. His father, Ashok Yadav, worked as an electrical engineer. He completed his schooling in Mumbai and later graduated with a degree in commerce.
Yadav began playing cricket at a young age and trained at local cricket academies in Mumbai. He progressed through age-group cricket and represented Mumbai at various junior levels. His performances in domestic tournaments led to his selection in the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team.
Domestic Career
Yadav made his first-class debut for Mumbai in the 2010–11 Ranji Trophy season. He scored a century on debut, which brought him early recognition.
He has been a regular member of the Mumbai domestic team across formats, including Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Known for his consistency, he has scored multiple centuries and has often played a key role in Mumbai’s batting lineup.
His domestic performances, especially in white-ball tournaments, contributed to his selection for the national team.
International Career
Test Career
As of 2026, Suryakumar Yadav has had limited opportunities in Test cricket. He made his Test debut in 2023 against Australia. His appearances in the format have been occasional.
ODI Career
Yadav made his One Day International (ODI) debut in July 2021 against Sri Lanka. He has played as a middle-order batsman and has contributed with quick scoring innings. However, his performances in ODIs have been less consistent compared to T20Is.
T20I Career
Yadav made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut in March 2021 against England. He scored a half-century in his debut series.
He gained prominence in 2022 with multiple match-winning performances, including centuries against England and New Zealand. He achieved the No.1 position in the ICC T20I batting rankings.
Yadav has also captained India in T20Is as a stand-in captain in selected series.
Indian Premier League (IPL) Career
Suryakumar Yadav began his IPL career with Mumbai Indians in 2012. He later played for Kolkata Knight Riders, where he gained recognition for his middle-order performances.
He returned to Mumbai Indians in 2018 and became a key player for the team. He has contributed significantly in multiple IPL seasons, playing crucial innings in the middle order.
Yadav has been part of IPL title-winning campaigns with Mumbai Indians and is regarded as an important member of their batting lineup.
Playing Style
Suryakumar Yadav is a right-handed batsman known for his unconventional shot selection and ability to play 360-degree strokes. He is particularly effective in T20 cricket due to his adaptability and high strike rate.
His strengths include improvisation, timing, and the ability to score against both pace and spin. He is often compared with players known for innovative stroke play in limited-overs formats.
He occasionally bowls medium pace but is primarily selected for his batting.
Records and Achievements
- Ranked No.1 in ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings (2022–2023)
- Among the fastest Indian players to score multiple T20I centuries
- Scored centuries in T20Is against England and New Zealand
- Key contributor in India’s T20I series wins during 2022–2023
- Multiple IPL seasons with 400+ runs
- Century on first-class debut in Ranji Trophy
- Known for one of the highest strike rates among Indian T20I batsmen
Personal Life
Suryakumar Yadav is married to Devisha Shetty. The couple met during their college years in Mumbai.
Outside cricket, he is known to have an interest in fitness and music. He is also active on social media platforms.
Awards and Honours
- ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2022)
- Named in ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year
- Multiple Player of the Match awards in T20Is
- IPL title winner with Mumbai Indians
