Age is just a number, says Suryakumar Yadav

A CRICKETER SHOULD be judged by on-field performance and not by age, T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav said at an Express Adda on Friday. His comments came ahead of India’s three-match ODI series in Australia from October 19, which features two former captains Rohit Sharma, who is 38 years old,and Virat Kohli,whois 36. There is also uncertainty whether the two veterans will be selected for the 50-over World Cup in 2027.

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Whenasked if there is extra scrutiny on players like Rohit and Virat because of their age, Suryakumar, who was in conversation with Anant Goenka, Executive Director of The Indian Express Group, and Devendra Pandey,deputy associate editor, said: “According to me, age is just a number. If you are scoring runs and doing everything your team wants, then it is just a number. I was reading about JamesAnderson recently. He is 45-46 rightnow (Anderson is 43 years old) now, and he recently renewed his contract with Lancashire. So I thinkageis just anumber.Ifyou are doing well...then itis in your hands how long you want to play,’ Suryakumar, 35, said.

Both Rohit and Virat play only ODIs. While Suryakumar leads the T20 side, the ODI and Test teams are captained by 26year-old Shubman Gill.Asked if he felt Gill, nearly 10 years his junior, was snapping at his heels,theT20 captain admitted that the fear does motivate him to do better but he is happy Gill is being given responsibility.

“I won't lie, everyone feels that fear. Butitis the kind of fear that keeps you motivated. The camaraderie between me and him (Gill) is amazing off the field and onit.I knowwhat kind of player and human he is. So it just motivates me to do well,” Suryakumar said.