Exclusive- Suryakumar Yadav Reveals Story Behind Viral Petrol Pump Photo

Suryakumar Yadav [Source: AFP]

The lives of cricketers in India often attract attention even in the most ordinary of settings. For World Cup-winning skipper Suryakumar Yadav, one such moment has a story that goes beyond what was visible in the now-familiar picture.

Just recently, Suryakumar was asked to narrate the story behind his viral petrol pump photo from over a decade ago, which went viral earlier this year after he led the Indian cricket team to a historic 2026 T20 World Cup win. 

Suryakumar Yadav narrates backstory of viral photo

While speaking to Aakash Chopra on his news show Baith and Bol powered by CREX, Suryakumar Yadav revealed the backstory of his viral petrol pump photo. In the picture, the then aspiring cricketer can be seen striking a rather photo-ready pose at a petrol pump, turning an otherwise unlikely backdrop into the setting for a hilarious click.

The former Indian captain said that the picture was taken either in 2011 or 2012, at a time when he was just 21 years old. He revealed that it was a newly-opened petrol pump where he usually went to wash his own car from time to time. In one of those visits, Suryakumar laughingly revealed that he decided to click a picture of himself. 

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He said “This photo is from either 2011 or 2012. A petrol pump had an opening. Back then, we had little idea about where to wash our car among other things, so we used to go to petrol pump to wash our cars, and sometimes wash it ourselves there. So, on one of those occasions, I clicked my photo and posted it. It’s an extremely old photo.”

Suryakumar says he is “happy” for his younger self

Suryakumar Yadav went on to add that the photo only went viral after he led Team India to their historic 2026 ICC T20 World Cup win earlier this year.

The cricketer stated that he is happy for his younger self, and claimed that if someone had told him back then that he would go on to become a World Cup winning skipper for India, his younger self would not have believed it.

He said “And I think it went viral after I won the 2026 T20 World Cup for India. Very happy for this guy. If someone had told the younger me back then that I will win a World Cup as captain, I don’t think I would’ve believed it.”

Suryakumar Yadav can still make India comeback, as per selectors

It is worth noting that mere weeks after leading India to a T20 World Cup 2026 win earlier this year, the cricketer was dropped from the national side citing form concerns. However, the cricketer did unleash a match-winning knock for India in their opening match of the tournament against USA.

Getting replaced by Shreyas Iyer as new India skipper for the tours of Ireland, England and Zimbabwe; the doors are still open for the 36-year-old to make his return to the national side.

Not long ago, a source close to the BCCI stated that Suryakumar Yadav can be called back for the Indian team if he regains his lost touch with the bat.

While the senior batter underwent a below-par IPL 2026 season with the bat for the Mumbai Indians, he plundered 163 runs in just five innings at an average of 40.75 in the recently-concluded Mumbai T20 2026 League in Mumbai.

As of now, it remains to be seen if the cricketer can make his return to the national side.

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