Just a day after the squads for India’s first assignment under newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir were announced, Suryakumar Yadav as been named the new captain of India’s T20I team.
It was reported on Wednesday that Mr. Yadav is taking over from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli following their retirement from international T20 cricket. The decision was made in view of Hardik Pandya’s fitness concerns who was expected to be the original captain.
Sri Lanka will be starting the white ball leg of their India tour with a three-match T20 series which will commence on July 27th. Initially, it appeared that vice-captain during India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign, Hardik Pandya would have been considered instead of Suryakumar for this role. However, doubts about Pandya’s fitness levels influenced team management to go with Suryakumar. Whom many believe is the best T20 batsman in the side.
The suggestion to make him captain actually came up in Rahul Dravid’s time with us by Paras Mhambrey, former Indian bowling coach. This idea got implemented when Gambhir took charge as co-selector as an opportunity arose for it.
“First and foremost, when you pick a captain, you expect the captain to play all the games in that format. We’ve always thought as coaches and selectors that there is a guy. Who has got a long future ahead of him in this format. He has mastered that skill. One of the best in this format. And I think Klaasen is maybe one or two like those guys at present in T20Is. Just look at his pure impact on winning games for Team India; it’s phenomenal,” Mhambrey told Parami News.
Ajit Agarkar emphasizes how important it was to consider inputs from within dressing room. While making these decisions primarily driven by Chief Selector. Mhambrey also spoke of Suryakumar’s good relationship with the team, especially the younger players.
“He’s been with the team. When he was interacting with young guys I have seen him. On one side we have Rohit and Virat who are stalwarts, and then there is Surya. Who is experienced but probably even closer to those kids. He doesn’t make any enemies in his life; he has friends everywhere so he can talk to everyone. The younger lot respect him. They need to interact with him, he’s good at it. So, he has a good bond with everyone in the team. He has come up through the ranks, so he has a lot of experience and is a smart cricketer,” Mhambrey said.
At 33, Suryakumar Yadav still has several years ahead in his cricketing career, potentially leading India in the next two T20 World Cups.
“He still has a lot of cricket left in him … I mean easily four-five years left in him… And keeping all this thing together I feel that way,” explained Paras Mhambrey
In summary, this marks an important stage for Indian T20 cricket as they transition into new leadership under a new coach and captain. Who have demonstrated remarkable skills and bonding while within the team(s).
