Suryakumar Yadav, the newly appointed Indian T20 captain, has expressed his enthusiasm for leading the team on the field, despite not having previously held the captaincy role. He credits his leadership skills to the lessons he has learned from various skippers throughout his career.
Yadav was named India’s T20 captain last week, succeeding Hardik Pandya after Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format. His first assignment will be the three-match T20 series against hosts Sri Lanka, beginning on Saturday.
“I have always enjoyed being a leader on the field even though I was not the captain. I have always learnt a lot of things from different captains. It’s a good feeling and a great responsibility,” Yadav told BCCI.TV.
Yadav’s appointment marks the beginning of a new era for Indian cricket, with Gautam Gambhir taking over as head coach. Yadav and Gambhir share a strong bond from their days together at Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014.
“This relationship is special because in 2014 I played under him in KKR. It was special because from there only I got opportunities. The relationship is still strong,” Yadav said.
Yadav emphasized the importance of humility and staying grounded while leading the team. He believes that cricket is just a part of life and that it should not define one’s self-worth.
“I think most important thing what I have learned from this sport is how humble you are after achieving or even after not doing well. I have learned when you do something on the ground you have to leave it on the ground,” he said.
“This is not your life, this is just a part of your life. So you can’t be when you are doing well you stay on the top and when you are not doing well, you are underground.”
Yadav’s leadership style is likely to be influenced by the experiences he has gained from playing under different captains. He has learned the importance of communication, adaptability, and decision-making.
As India embarks on a new chapter in its cricketing history, Yadav’s leadership will be crucial in shaping the team’s future. His experience, skills, and passion for the game make him an ideal candidate to lead India to success in the T20 format.
