Axar Patel Backs Captain Suryakumar Yadav, To Have Conversation With Gautam Gambhir About Role

24.07.2024 - 02:15 sports.ndtv.com

India all-rounder Axar Patel has backed Suryakumar Yadav's appointment as Team India's new T20I captain, calling him a "bowler's captain".

Suryakumar Yadav - fondly called SKY - was appointed India's captain in the shortest format following the retirement of Rohit Sharma from T20Is after India's victorious T20 World Cup 2024.

Now, Axar has spoken out in support of his new captain, sharing anecdotes about his experience with him. He has also mentioned that he will have conversations with new coach Gautam Gambhir regarding his role in the side.

Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Axar said, "I know he (Suryakumar Yadav) is a bowler's captain. He gives the bowlers the fields they ask for.

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Former Team India fielding coach R Sridhar has stated that Suryakumar Yadav checks several boxes and, therefore, was made captain in the T20I format. Following the retirement of Rohit Sharma from T20Is after the T20 World Cup 2024 win, many expected Hardik Pandya - who was vice-captain at the tournament - to inherit captaincy. However, new head coach Gautam Gambhir chose Suryakumar Yadav as the captain of the side in the shortest format. Sridhar suggested that Suryakumar's bond with players in the dressing room has been a big plus in helping him win captaincy.

"Tik Nahi Payega": On Gautam Gambhir's Role, India's T20 World Cup-Winner Drops Bold Remark

Former India pacer Joginder Sharma feels Gautam Gambhir's tenure as head coach of the team might not be a long one, mainly because of his outspoken nature. Gambhir took over as head coach of the Indian team last month after Rahul Dravid tenure came to an end after the T20 World Cup in June. Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, India defeated Sri Lanka 3-0 in Gambhir's debut T20I series as head coach. On Friday, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returned to the side for the ODI series opener, which India drew to Sri Lanka after a thrilling finish.

Hardik Pandya Says This On Suryakumar Yadav's Captaincy As Gautam Gambhir Gives Epic Speech. Watch

Newly appointed India head coach, Gautam Gambhir began his career in the new role with a 3-0 T20I series triumph against Sri Lanka. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy received its due credit in the post-series dressing room speech given by head coach Gambhir while all-rounder Hardik Pandya also had some special words for his Mumbai Indians teammate. The comments from Gambhir and Hardik were shared by the BCCI in a video published on social media.

Watch: Suryakumar Yadav Bowls To Defend 6 Runs In 20th Over, Fans Hail 'Gautam Gambhir Era'

Indian cricket team fans had their hearts racing as they saw T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav bowling the 20th over of the match against Sri Lanka, who needed just 6 runs to win the match. Suryakumar, who had not bowled a single over in the match until that moment, bowled the final over of the 3rd T20I and gave away just 5 runs, forcing the match into Super Over. As Surya's final-over heroics, with the ball, went viral, fans also hailed head coach Gautam Gambhir, saying a new era has started.

Gautam Gambhir, Suryakumar Yadav Have Intense On-Field Chat Despite Series Win

Two matches, two wins, as Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav help India kick-off the new era in T20I cricket with a series win against Sri Lanka. Though the weather gods made the match quite tricky for the Indian team, with the second innings being reduced to 8 overs due to rain, the Indian batters did really well to take the team home and secure an unassailable 2-0 series win in the series. Right after the conclusion of the 2nd T20I, however, India head coach Gambhir was spotted in an intense chat with skipper Suryakumar. The visual made many fans wonder what the two might be discussing.

"Don't Think Gautam Gambhir Has A Natural Captain": Ex New Zealand Star's Verdict On Suryakumar Yadav

Former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris believes that Suryakumar Yadav is only a temporary captaincy option for India, with Gautam Gambhir ideally hoping to build Shubman Gill as the nation's future long-term captain. Suryakumar Yadav - fondly known as SKY - was appointed India's T20I captain by Gambhir after the retirement of Rohit Sharma from the shortest format. Gill was appointed vice-captain in both the T20Is and ODIs for the Sri Lanka tour, prompting Styris to believe that more long-term plans are in play.