Thousands of crazy fans gathered to get a glimpse of their favourite cricketer as he stopped by at the launch of The Indian Garage Co’s first new offline store in Bengaluru on Brigade Road. Suryakumar Yadav, popularly known as SKY had his arms tattooed and we couldn’t help notice a large evil eye tattoo on his right hand. He was also wearing an evil eye pendant on a silver chain. No wonder the man has been in the public eye ever since he gained fame and needs these to protect his aura from buri nazar (evil eye).
True to his name, Surya has emerged as one of the hottest young stars for his dynamic batting prowess on the field. Owing to his recent significant contributions to the Indian national cricket team, especially in T20Is where he has been a key player, he recently captained the Indian T20I team and was part of the squad that won the 2023 Asia Cup and the 2024 T20. Here’s how World Cup. Mr. 360 battled our quick questions on his visit to the Garden City.
Raised in Mumbai, Suryakumar Yadav married Devisha Shetty, a dance coach who hails from Mangalore. The couple is clearly head over heels in love with each other, even after 10 years of their marriage. When asked how he would like to describe his fashion statement, he instantly replied, “Whatever my wife says, I wear as I should listen to her all the time (he says with a naughty smile). I’m not so picky or fussy about clothes and stuff. Most importantly if I have to relate cricket to fashion, the way I’m always relaxed on the field which helps me in my sport, similarly I should be the same off the field as well. Clothing plays an important part in making one feel relaxed. I like to wear clothes that are relaxed and feel comfortable. Everytime I pick up new clothes I make sure they are comfy.”
Do you feel you’re a part of the Gen Z when it comes to fashion? “I feel less is more nowadays. Clothes are multi-functional.” His favourite colour, we wonder? “I like to wear any colour that looks good on me and anything which brightens my day. I like to wear a variety of styles, prints and colours,” says Surya.
Tell us more about Surya as a person, when he’s not on the cricket field, we question the cricketer and he smiles and states, “I’m a very relaxed and a smooth-going person off the field. I try to keep calm and never get under pressure. Post the World Cup, I wore a Looney Toons shirt and everyone loved it. There was no better moment than to hold the World Cup and sleep by its side wearing that comfy, cool and quirky shirt.”
We nudge him on what he likes about Bangalore and he shares, “I love it when Bengalureans show me so much love when I come here. I love the vibe here and literally everything about the city. I love south Indian food and my wife is a south Indian too. It’s very difficult to pick one south Indian dish. I love idli, vada, dosa, but if I were to share that one go-to south-Indian dish it would the Thatte Idly Podi.” Does he like to cook, we prod further and he says, “I’m a very good cook but I cook only like once a month. I can make very good biryani, butter chicken and butter paneer.”
We also asked Surya about his biggest inspiration and without any hesitation he replied, “My biggest inspiration will always be my family. My parents have worked really hard for bringing me up and I owe all my success to them for taking me where I am today. I also thank my wife for pushing me every single day and encouraging me to do my best. Also, all my fans who come wherever I go, shower me with love and support me all the time. This keeps me motivated to do good things on the ground. I’m not here for money. I’m here for the love. I always believe that good things happen to good people.”
We ask him what was his most thrilling travel experience and Surya reminisces on his trip to Abu Dhabi revealing, “I sat on this crazy world’s fastest roller coaster called Formula Rossa in Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, which was scary yet super fun and will always be memorable.”
Ask him his Diwali plans and he quips before heading to the airport for his flight back home to Mumbai, “There will be festive celebrations like always. I’m also going to shop a lot in Bangalore and paying for extra luggage space at the airport.”