Suryakumar Yadav has been a consistent performer for the Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians and the opener also played a significant role in the team winning their fifth IPL trophy last year.

The star batsman has been ecstatic over receiving a maiden international call-up to the Indian side for the five-match T20I series against England. In a recent interview with the Indian Express, Yadav revealed how he made use of the Covid-19 lockdown to lose 12 kgs by working out twice a day and cutting down on carbohydrates consumption. Speaking about his difficult but determined journey towards his goal, the cricketer reportedly said, "The passion and love for the game kept me going. I knew that if I kept ticking the boxes, I will reach my destination someday. In the first few days of the lockdown, I ate almost everything that I saw, sugar, sweets, carbs, and rice. Then this thought struck me, why not use the lockdown to get my body into shape."

Suryakumar Yadav added that even though the routine was difficult, it was not impossible. "No sugar, no sweets, cut 90 per cent of rice and aata. I quit most high-carb food and switched to rotis from jowar, bajra and ragi with normal daal, sabzi or paneer. I also started working out twice a day. Previously it was five times a week. The initial weeks were difficult. I usually have my dinner at 7.30 and sleep at around 10.30-11.00, so I used to feel very hungry at night. I told myself, it’s not easy, but not impossible either," the batsman was quoted as saying.