"I Don't Want To Be Captain, I Want To...": Suryakumar Yadav Makes Bold Statement

29.07.2024 - 03:00 sports.ndtv.com

India captain Suryakumar Yadav, whose captaincy skills were on display during the first T20I against Sri Lanka, stated that he wants to classify himself as a leader and not as a captain.

When Sri Lanka's opening duo of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis inflicted carnage in Pallekele, the 214-run total started turning into a comfortable chase for the hosts.

Sri Lanka raced to 84/0 in the ninth over and looked well set to spoil the beginning of Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar's era.

With India fielding only five mainstay bowlers, Suryakumar was running out of options. In the ninth over, he brought Arshdeep Singh back into the thick of action, hoping for a breakthrough.

cricket Sri Lanka Cricket Team India Cricket Team Suryakumar Yadav Arshdeep Singh India Sri Lanka

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.

"Rohit Ka Chela...": Ex-India Star's Explosive Remark On 'Great Leader' Suryakumar Yadav

India completed a 3-0 clean-sweep in the T20I series against Sri Lanka with a thrilling super over victory in their final match on Tuesday. Sri Lanka looked comfortably placed in the run chase but Suryakumar's stunning decision to use Rinku Singh as a bowler in the 19th over and himself bowling the final over of the match provided to be a brilliant one. From 110/1, Sri Lanka lost wickets in a heap as they could only manage to score 137/8 in 20 overs. In the super over, the hosts were once again outplayed as India marched on to a huge win. Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif was impressed by Suryakumar's captaincy and he took to social media to pay him a massive compliment on his bowling changes.

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.

India vs Sri Lanka LIVE Score Updates, 3rd T20I: Suryakumar Yadav Aims To Break Rohit Sharma's Big Record, India Eye Whitewash

India vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I Live Updates: India will be squaring off against Sri Lanka in the third T20I of the three-match series on Tuesday in Pallekele. After sealing the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead, Suryakumar Yadav and co will now aim for a whitewash. India won the first game by 43 runs before securing a seven-wicket victory in the rain-shortened second match. India captain Suryakumar Yadav aims to break Rohit Sharma's record. Surya needs 74 runs to surpass Rohit and become the Indian with most runs in T20Is against Sri Lanka. (Live Scorecard)

Suryakumar Yadav Delivered Bitter 'Champions Trophy Verdict' After Sri Lanka ODI Snub

Team India's newly promoted T20I skipper isn't in the scheme of things as far as ODI cricket is concerned, and BCCI selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar had no hesitation in confirming that during a press conference on Monday. Agarkar, who held a joint press conference with the new head coach Gautam Gambhir, said that Surya's name wasn't even discussed as the likes of KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant returned to the ODI fold. Though Suryakumar was a part of India's team for the 2023 ODI World Cup, fair to say that he is way down in the pecking order at the moment.

"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.