![Suryakumar Yadav opens up on Indian team snub [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794379546027_SKYonIndianTeamSnub.jpg?type=hq)
Suryakumar Yadav opens up on Indian team snub [Source: AFP]
Suryakumar Yadav has opened up about a challenging spell in his career after being left out of the Indian team in the months following the 2026 T20 World Cup triumph.
The India captain admitted that the period was difficult to navigate, particularly after a prolonged lean run with the bat. However, a change in his personal life during the IPL gave him a different perspective, while conversations at home helped him reconnect with the reasons he fell in love with cricket.
Suryakumar Yadav admits life became difficult after India snub
India's T20 World Cup victory over New Zealand in the final on March 8 in Ahmedabad was followed by an unexpected phase for Suryakumar. Despite leading the team to the title, the batter was not included in India's subsequent tours of Ireland and England after struggling for runs over an extended period. He has remained out of the national side since then.
Speaking at an event in Mumbai on Tuesday, Suryakumar acknowledged that being dropped after such a successful campaign was not easy to accept.
"Things have been a little difficult after the T20 World Cup. I don't want to run away from that fact. If you are not honest with yourself, it is very difficult to lead a happy life. So, to be very honest, it has been very difficult,” Yadav shared.
However, the arrival of his daughter during the 2026 IPL season brought a welcome change to his life. She was born on May 7, shifting his attention towards fatherhood during a period when his cricketing future was uncertain.
“But at the same time, during the IPL, I was blessed with a baby girl in May. The focus shifted completely towards her. The last few months, since she was born, have been very beautiful," Suryakumar said at an event in Mumbai on Tuesday.
How did Suryakumar Yadav rediscover his passion for cricket?
While the birth of his daughter helped him find happiness away from the game, Suryakumar revealed that the first two months after his omission were particularly difficult. A conversation with his wife, Devisha Shetty, played an important role in that process. Suryakumar Yadav said he has since returned to the same mindset and training habits that shaped his early career.
"The first two months, though, were very difficult. But then I thought, why not go back to thinking about how I was before? How I started my cricket journey, when all I used to think about was playing age-group cricket for Mumbai and eventually representing Mumbai in first-class cricket.
I sat down and thought about all these things and started chatting with my wife (Devisha Shetty). She said the same thing. She felt I needed to bring back the love and passion for the game that I had when I was a 15-year-old kid who wanted to represent Mumbai in Under-15 cricket," he said.
The Mumbai batter added that he has started following the same routine and approach that helped him develop as a cricketer.
"So, that's what I started thinking about, and I am now following the same things I did 10-15 years ago. I am training again, following the same passion and the same love for the game.
Everything is back to normal now. When you start thinking about it and focus on playing this sport, you want to do well for your team and your family. Things change completely, and that's what I am doing right now," he added.
The 36-year-old also has a new domestic responsibility ahead of him. Mumbai selectors appointed him captain of the state side for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Monday, giving him an opportunity to return to competitive cricket and regain his rhythm.
