Before the T20I series against Sri Lanka kicks off on Saturday, India’s newly appointed captain Suryakumar Yadav shared his positive reflections on working with the new head coach, Gautam Gambhir. Yadav emphasized the unique and enduring nature of their relationship.
Suryakumar was chosen to lead the team after Rohit Sharma stepped down from the format following India’s T20 World Cup victory in June. His association with Gambhir dates back to their time together at Kolkata Knight Riders, where Gambhir was captain and Suryakumar served as vice-captain from 2014 to 2017.
“Our bond has always been special. It’s been exactly 10 years since 2014. In 2018, I moved to another IPL team and he did the same, but we stayed in touch regularly to discuss cricket. Even when we played for different teams, we would exchange ideas on how to improve our performance.”
“We’ve continued to learn from each other even during the years we weren’t on the same team. Our relationship is unique—through our conversations, we’ve developed an understanding of each other’s body language and intentions.”
“When I say no, he understands my perspective, and vice versa. This special connection between coach and captain is something I deeply value, and I am thrilled about this new journey,” Suryakumar said during the pre-series press conference.
Reflecting on the insights he gained from Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, Suryakumar noted, “Rohit Sharma was a true leader both on and off the field. There’s a significant difference between being a leader and a captain. He guided the team, demonstrating how to play T20 cricket and how to secure tournament wins.”
On the challenge of finding replacements for Rohit, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, Suryakumar acknowledged the difficulty but expressed confidence in the new players. “Replacing such key players won’t be easy, but the newcomers have practiced extensively and performed well in franchise cricket. Their performances for India have also been impressive. I trust that they will excel in their new roles.”
Suryakumar concluded by addressing the changes in his approach since his tenure as Mumbai captain ended in 2015 amid controversies. He reassured that his batting would remain unaffected by his new leadership role. “A lot has changed since then. I’m a different person now, married and having learned a lot from other captains. I will lead the team in my own way, maintaining our cricketing style.”
“Being captain adds new responsibilities, but it also keeps the game exciting. The core of our team remains the same; only the leadership has shifted. My batting style will stay consistent. While pressure is a part of the game, it makes playing enjoyable. I plan to continue my approach and perhaps shift some pressure to others, allowing me to enjoy my game more.”
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