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India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav’s teammates at the Parsee Gymkhana club have hailed the star attacking batter for his never-say-die attitude, insisting that his professional approach to the game even at club level has been an inspiration to the team’s youngsters.
“Surya’s achievements show that we should not give up in any situation and must keep trying hard all the time. When he was about to play for India and even after he played for India, Surya has always prioritised club cricket. We have a Whatsapp group for our Parsee Gymkhana team and Surya always keeps posting motivational messages to the youngsters, urging them to strive hard to do well,” Mumbai Ranji Trophy star and Parsee Gymkhana’s left-arm spinner Shams Mulani told mid-day on Monday.
Parsee Gym’s VP and cricket secy Khodadad Yazdegardi
Suryakumar, 35, made his India debut against England at Ahmedabad in 2021. He has represented the country in 113 T20Is scoring 3272 runs, including four centuries and 25 fifties so far. He has also played 37 ODIs and one Test.
“I feel inspired because someone like Surya has achieved so much after making his India debut at a later age [30]. Given that, his numerous achievements have come within this short span of time, it makes it all the more special,” Mulani added.
Parsee Gym players Shams Mulani (left) and Jay Jain
Mumbai U-23 team batter Jay Jain, who has been playing for Parsee Gymkhana for the last three years recalls his first meeting with the India skipper. “Ahead of last year’s T20 Mumbai League [TML], we were at our team hotel and I was just checking a bat, and he [Suryakumar] asked me what I thought about it. I said it’s very good and he simply turned around and said, ‘keep it.’ The way he generously gifted me his bat, it was so cool. That was the first time I was meeting him. I have scored six centuries and eight half-centuries with that bat this season,” Jain, who played under Suryakumar’s captaincy for Triumph Knights in TML last year, told mid-day.
Jain added that despite Suryakumar’s busy schedule, he is one of the most approachable guys in the Parsee Gymkhana team. “He [Suryakumar] is the best mentor or guide any team can have. He makes some great decisions in quick time however tough the situation may be. Be it in planning the bowling changes or restructuring field placements, he’s brilliant at it. Personally, he has always backed me and boosted my confidence. He has always immediately replied to my messages and readily clears any doubts that I have about the game. He’s truly like a Dada [big brother in Marathi],” added Jain.
Parsee Gymkhana’s vice president and cricket secretary Khodadad Yazdegardi hailed Suryakumar as a true leader of men. “Surya has been consistently playing for us since 2013. Good things happen to good people so this World Cup win is just that for him. As a player, he’s a complete team man, always ahead of the game, and off the field, he’s a very humble human being. Surya always proudly proclaims that he’s a Parsee Gymkhana player for life, and we can’t be more proud of him. We are waiting for him to visit the club after his return from Ahmedabad as we have planned a big celebration for him,” said Khodadad.
With inputs from Ashwin Ferro
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