Mumbai: Mumbai Indians batter Suryakumar Yadav has firmly rubbished rumours surrounding a supposed wrist injury, calling out critics and labelling them as people who “don’t understand cricket”. The India T20I captain made the remarks during a broadcast interaction ahead of Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2026 clash against Rajasthan Royals.

Suryakumar, who endured a disappointing IPL 2026 season, managed just 270 runs in 13 matches. Despite his reputation as one of the most dynamic T20 batters in the world, his performances this season failed to meet expectations, contributing to Mumbai Indians finishing ninth on the points table with only four wins in 14 matches.

Strong response to injury speculation

Addressing the rumours directly, Suryakumar did not mince his words. He questioned the credibility of those spreading such claims and emphasised that his on-field performances contradict any suggestion of a wrist problem.

“First of all, I’d like to clear the air a little bit. The people talking about a wrist injury are either pure physios or people who don’t understand cricket,” Suryakumar said.

He further explained that his playing style, particularly his signature flick shots, relies heavily on wrist strength and coordination. According to him, executing such shots consistently would not be possible if he were carrying an injury.

“If I really had a wrist injury, the kind of shots I’ve been playing — especially flick shots which are completely wrist-based — I wouldn’t have been able to play those,” he added.

Despite the criticism, Suryakumar maintained that such external noise is beyond his control and not something he focuses on.

Tough IPL season for Mumbai Indians

The IPL 2026 season proved to be a forgettable campaign for both Suryakumar and Mumbai Indians. The team struggled throughout the tournament, failing to find consistency in either batting or bowling.

Suryakumar’s best performance came against Rajasthan Royals, where he scored a fighting 60 in a high-scoring chase of 206. However, his effort was not enough to secure a win, as Rajasthan Royals went on to clinch victory and confirm their playoff berth. That result also contributed to the elimination of teams like Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.

For Mumbai Indians, the season ended in disappointment, with the five-time champions finishing near the bottom of the table — a rare occurrence for one of the league’s most successful franchises.

Focus on process over results

Speaking about his dip in form, Suryakumar adopted a balanced and composed approach. He highlighted that while outcomes may fluctuate, effort and preparation remain within a player’s control.

“I’ve worked hard throughout the season. I worked hard at the start of the year as well. In the New Zealand series, I won the Player of the Series award. Then I had a good World Cup, at least according to me,” he said, referencing his performances outside the IPL.

He acknowledged that his IPL form did not reflect his usual standards but insisted that he never stopped putting in the effort.

“I didn’t score runs in the IPL, but I never stopped working hard. At the end of the day, performance is never guaranteed. What is in your control is hard work,” he added.

Looking ahead with optimism

Despite the setbacks, Suryakumar remains optimistic about the future. He expressed confidence that consistent effort will eventually yield results and reiterated his belief in staying committed to the process.

“If success comes, that’s great. If it doesn’t, that’s okay too. We’ll go back to the drawing board and work hard again. God is watching. Sooner or later, the rewards will come,” he concluded.

With international assignments on the horizon, Suryakumar will be keen to rediscover his best form and silence critics through performances rather than words.

Conclusion

Suryakumar Yadav’s strong dismissal of injury rumours highlights both his confidence and frustration after a challenging IPL season. While questions remain over his form, his focus on hard work and process suggests a determined mindset. As Indian cricket moves forward, all eyes will be on whether the dynamic batter can bounce back and reclaim his position as one of the game’s most feared T20 players.