Suryakumar Yadav, the newly appointed captain of the Indian T20I team, has vowed to maintain the aggressive style of play that characterized Rohit Sharma’s tenure. Under Rohit’s leadership, India adopted a revolutionary attacking approach that has become their hallmark.
Suryakumar emphasized that the team’s “train will go ahead” with the same aggressive mindset, despite the change in captaincy. He aims to emulate Rohit’s leadership style and strategies, which he believes have been instrumental in India’s recent success.
“What I have learnt from Rohit is that he was always a leader on the ground and off it,” Suryakumar said. “He was not just a captain — there is a lot of difference between the two. He was a leader who stood in the middle of the group and showed people the way.”
Suryakumar also expressed his desire to provide opportunities for young talents like Riyan Parag and Rinku Singh. He believes that these players have the potential to make a significant impact on the upcoming matches against Sri Lanka.
Reflecting on his own journey, Suryakumar acknowledged that he has undergone a significant transformation over the last decade. He attributed this change to his marriage and the lessons he has learned from playing under different captains.
“I am also a completely changed man now,” he said. “In 2016, I got married. So, absolutely, you have to change after that as well. But yeah, things are completely different now.”
Suryakumar also addressed comments made by the newly appointed head coach, Gautam Gambhir, who expressed regret for not fully utilizing his potential during their time together at the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise. However, Suryakumar remained optimistic, stating that there is still ample time for him to showcase his skills and make a significant impact in the team.
“We can fulfil that potential together now,” he said with a smile. “Our bond has always been special. We have talked a lot. We both understand what we want to say just by our body language.”
