Team India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, and head coach Gautam Gambhir have rekindled their bond from their days at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). During a pre-match press conference ahead of the first T20I against Sri Lanka, Gambhir expressed regret over not fully utilizing Suryakumar’s potential during their time together at KKR.
Gambhir acknowledged that team combinations at the time prevented Suryakumar from batting at the No. 3 spot, a decision he now regrets. “As a leader, you think about the other 10 players as well,” Gambhir explained. “If Surya had batted at No. 3, he would have been a lot more effective.”
Suryakumar responded with humor, suggesting that his full potential could now be utilized under Gambhir’s guidance as head coach. He praised Gambhir’s understanding and shared insights into their strong relationship as coach and captain. “Even when I say nothing sometimes, he understands what I want,” Suryakumar stated.
Suryakumar, at 33, is currently leading the T20I team in Sri Lanka and has reunited with his former KKR captain. Since making his debut for India in 2021, Suryakumar has established himself as one of the top T20I batters in the world. In 68 matches, he has scored 2340 runs at an average of 43.33 and a strike rate of 167.74, with four hundreds and 19 fifties.
Gambhir’s regret over not fully utilizing Suryakumar’s potential highlights the importance of recognizing and nurturing talent. It also underscores the significance of a strong coach-captain relationship in bringing out the best in players. As Suryakumar and Gambhir embark on this new journey together, they aim to unlock Suryakumar’s full potential and lead Team India to success.
