T20 Mumbai League: ‘So much to learn from Surya, Shreyas’

Two of India’s biggest names in the white-ball format, Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer, are inspiring youngsters in the ongoing T20 Mumbai League (TML) that has reached the semi-final stage.

The youngsters are almost in awe of T20I skipper Yadav and top-order ODI batsman Iyer’s desire to win at all costs for their teams — Triumph Knights (TKMNE) and SoBo Mumbai Falcons (SMF) respectively.

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“From watching Surya on the TV screen to watching him live here in the dressing room and on the ground, this is stuff of dreams. With Surya around, I just felt very confident. He has believed in us and has been motivating us throughout. Just looking at him working so hard, makes us do the same,” TKMNE’s left-arm spinner Jay Jain, 22 told mid-day.

Harsh Aghav and Shreyansh Rai (right) of Sobo Mumbai Falcons

Medium-pacer Parth Naik, 20, is inspired by the way Yadav carries himself on and off the field. “I’m blessed to be playing under Surya bhai. He never shows us that he’s an India player. The calmness he brings to the team and the way he bats deep into the innings, are things we can learn from,” said Naik. 

SMF’s 18-year-old batsman and leg-spinner Harsh Aghav spoke of how Iyer’s experience is beneficial. “Shreyas recently spoke to us about the kind of attitude a player should have on and off the field. This will remain with me forever,” said the teenager. 

SMF’s 16-year-old left-handed batsman Shreyansh Rai, revealed how Iyer’s encouraging words have helped him. “I always get positive vibes whenever I speak to Shreyas. He has a very positive attitude and backs his instincts. The other day, after I played a false shot [vs North Mumbai Panthers] and got out, I asked Shreyas if that shot was right given the situation. He said that it was not the right shot for that particular pitch and that I could have done better. There is so much to learn from his experience,” said Rai.

Experience matters

It’s not just the little-known promising players from the city’s far-flung suburbs, who are benefitting by sharing stage with these stalwarts. Even established youngsters like Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 21, who plays for the Mumbai Ranji team and Kolkata Knight Riders, are eager to learn. Before the start of the league, Raghuvanshi had said: “Surya and Shreyas are are such great leaders. Both give their 100 percent to the team always. It’s a great learning.”

This article first appeared on Mid Day