IPL 2023: Coming back to Wankhede felt like homecoming, says Suryakumar Yadav

Mumbai Indian players are all set to return to the Wankhede Stadium in the traditional home and away format of the IPL for the first time since 2019, as the franchise faces Chennai Super Kings later today.

Ahead of the big match, local favourite Suryakumar Yadav spoke about his various memories associated with playing at the Wankhede as a Mumbaikar. Suryakumar compared the feeling of returning to the Wankhede to the emotion of returning to one's home.

"When I returned to Mumbai Indians in 2018, it felt like a homecoming where everybody greets you. I got that same feeling. The first time I came to the ground, it was a very different feeling," said Suryakumar Yadav on MI TV.

"Obviously when you come to any stadium you feel great. You imagine playing at the stadium, the feeling you get when you make runs and play shots at the stadium is a very different feeling, " added Suryakumar Yadav.

As one of the local players in the Mumbai team, Suryakumar has many memories of the hallowed stadium right from his childhood when he played for the Mumbai age group sides.

"I was a regular here. I played domestic matches, age-group matches and then came the IPL. I was in MI from 2011 to 2013. In 2018, I was reunited with the franchise after a short break," said Suryakumar.

He also spoke about how the ambience at the stadium as well as the vociferous crowd support from the MI Paltan made him work harder, which in turn helped him realise his full potential and paved his entry into the Indian team.

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