NEW DELHI: India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav has revealed how a simple yet “brutally honest” question from his wife Devisha in 2018 became the turning point of his career, pushing him to chase his long-held dream of playing for the country.
Suryakumar said the conversation came at a time when his career was stable but lacked direction. “We got married in 2016 when I was still playing for KKR. Everything was going very smooth. I was playing well, enjoying it,” he said, recalling the moment during a podcast with PTI. “But in 2018, she asked me — ‘A lot of players from your age group are playing for India, what do you have in mind?’ I said, ‘Mujhe bhi India khelna hai.
’ Then she asked, ‘Kaise kheloge?’”
That question, he admits, forced him to introspect. “It wasn’t an argument, it was a discussion about how to take one extra step forward. If I want to play for India and win games, how do I do it?” he said, describing it as a defining moment.
What followed was a series of disciplined lifestyle changes. “We had to cut down on a lot of things — diet, friend circles, weekends. We treated it like a Monday-to-Friday job,” Suryakumar explained.
The results were immediate. A prolific IPL 2018 season, followed by consistent performances in 2019 and 2020, eventually led to his India debut in 2021.
Suryakumar credited Devisha as a constant pillar of support who shaped his mindset off the field. “She has been a big influence behind the scenes, telling me honest things. Sometimes it was brutal, but it helped. If I am where I am today, those conversations have gone a long way,” he said.
Importantly, her guidance extended beyond cricket. “She didn’t give cricketing advice but helped me with life — how to approach situations and carry myself,” he added. She also ensured he remained grounded. “At home, you are not Suryakumar Yadav. Leave cricket outside. Stay humble — even small things like keeping your plate in the sink matter.”
