His match-winning 46 off 36 balls in the IPL 8 opener against Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens thrust Suryakumar Yadav into the spotlight. t2 caught up with the 24-year-old Knight...

Your knock has become a talking point. And, you are also the vice-captain of the team….

On the morning of the match (April 8), I was told that I have been given the added responsibility of being the vice-captain of the team and that I’d be batting at number four. I had some signs when I played a Ranji Trophy quarter-final… when Delhi and Mumbai met, he (Gautam Gambhir) was saying that we are thinking of giving you an added responsibility…. 

You cut a cake too after the match…

Yeah… bahut mazaa aaya. 

During last year’s finals you got out to a disastrous shot… 

I have thought about it… getting out in similar fashion has always hurt me. I am still learning and trying to improve. I am trying new things to get my team a decent total. 

How is Gautam Gambhir as a skipper?

He is super-aggressive on the field. He keeps the team together… whether we win or lose. He always says that a team wins together and loses together. Off the ground, he is the calmest person I have ever seen. 

What kind of inputs have you given as the vice-captain? Is he the kind of skipper who gives you room to contribute?

We were talking during the strategic time-out against the Mumbai Indians and he asked me what I thought should be the bowling change. He will obviously do what he wants because he is the captain, but he is always ready for inputs. I shared my feelings with him and it felt good… a good experience. Against Royal Challengers Bangalore I led the side for two overs. I brought (K.C.) Cariappa on and he got AB de Villiers’s wicket. So, it was a special thing (smiles)!

Are you a Shah Rukh Khan fan?

Yeah, I am! After the win, he came to the dressing room. He always comes… even if we lose, he is always there. We hugged each other. He was super-happy. When he comes to the Eden Gardens, you can see the atmosphere. The whole team was happy to see him.... And AbRam is adorable. 

Being a Knight is…

An honour and a responsibility.

My BFF Knight…

Manish Pandey.
My favourite actor: Shah Rukh Khan.
 

My favourite SRK film: Baazigar.

Favourite actress: Deepika Padukone.

Eden Gardens is...: Second home.

Calcutta is...: Beautiful.

New-found hobbies: Socialising! Earlier I used to stay in my room, all by myself. Now, I have started socialising. 

Favourite batsman: Jacques Kallis is an all-time favourite. And currently, it is AB de Villiers.

Favourite pastime: Going for a drive… 100km away from the city and having coffee.

Relationship status: Single (laughs).

A perfect Calcutta selfie would be… Standing at Eden with the IPL 8 trophy!

What is your message for the KKR vice-captain? Tell t2@abp.in

NIGHT-OUT KNIGHTS

Just a few days after his first visit, Pat Cummins was back at M Bar Kitchen with friend and fellow Knight Morne Morkel (left) on Poila Baisakh. The duo dropped in at the gastro pub on Park Street for a chilled-out lunch of Jerk Chicken with Coconut Rice, Gamberi Al Ajillo, Chicken Olivetti, Chef’s Special Pizza and Chocolate Baklava. “Pat was at ease and very relaxed as this was his second visit here. Morkel is a bit reserved. He said he loved the food a lot and promised to get the South African team here when they come to Calcutta to play. Pat loved the pizzas!” said Varun Mimani, the director of M Bar Kitchen.