Suryakumar Yadav Shares His Experience In Kolkata
India will play against England in the first T20I of the five-match series on Wednesday (January 22). The T20I series opener has been scheduled on January 22 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Indian players rendezvoused at their first practice session in Kolkata at the famous Eden Gardens on January 19. Arshdeep Singh, the star fast bowler who will lead the Indian bowling attack in this home series with Jos Buttler & Co., joined the team’s camp on Sunday night and practiced with the team on Monday.
During the practice session, India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, was spotted having a conversation in Bangla with him. In a video shared on the BCCI social media handles on Tuesday, Surya could be heard saying, “Jaise ye paaji ko dekh kar yaad aata hai. Paaji bhalo? Bhalo paaji?” and Arshdeep habitually replied, “Bhalo achi.”Impressed at Arshdeep’s Bangla, Surya then added, “Paaji bhi seekh gaye hai yaha par reh kar.”
Suryakumar Yadav’s stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from 2014 to 2017 became a significant chapter in his career as a professional cricketer that marked him out to be the player with immense talent and potential. During these years, Yadav not only sharpened his skill but also enjoyed some of Kolkata’s culture, which became home away from home for him. He fondly reminisced on this chapter as some of the golden years of his cricketing journey, simply not for the cricket but for the experiences thereafter.
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In 2014, KKR acquired Suryakumar Yadav in the IPL auction for ₹7 million (US$81,000), a relationship that would prove very fruitful for both the player and the franchise. Throughout the next four seasons, Yadav became a very important part of the team’s middle order, known for his inventive stroke play and ability to hold or back an inning as required. Since KKR had consistent performances during his time, especially in crunch situations, he had earned a very special place amongst the Eden Gardens faithful, KKR’s home ground.
A cherished remembrance, one of the few celebrated aspects of Yadav’s time in Kolkata, was of the city-famous treat, mishti doi. The traditional Bengali sweet curd became a ritual for Yadav and his teammates whenever they could savor its taste-well-earned after a match or as an appreciation of their time spent in the city. Sharing mishti doi with the guys served just as a reminder of how pleasant the Bengali culture was and the sweet life far away from the pressures of being a professional cricketer. The sweet creaminess of mishti doi was often kept like a soothing balm after what was a long day in the busy city of Kolkata.
Even years after his departure from Kolkata, the love for Kolkata and its food remained alive in him. After the last practice session at Eden Gardens in preparation for the T20I series, Suryakumar Yadav and his team had the chance to relive this tradition. After partying a cheat meal, mishti doi was his last while resurrecting memories of playing for KKR and living the present captaincy of the Indian T20I team.
