Suryakumar Yadav, India’s newly-appointed T20I captain, has assured that the team will continue to play the aggressive brand of cricket that characterized his predecessor Rohit Sharma’s reign. Following Rohit’s retirement from T20Is after the World Cup triumph in the Americas, India adopted an aggressive game plan, a departure from their previous ODI style.
Yadav, on the eve of the first T20I against Sri Lanka, stated, “The same train will go ahead; only the engine has changed and the bogies remain unchanged.” He emphasized that the team’s approach to the game will remain unchanged, with the captaincy role simply adding to his responsibility. “It (the captaincy role) doesn’t change anything; the brand of cricket remains the same. It has given me an added responsibility. It is good that now I can do a ‘walk the talk,’” he said.
Yadav expressed his admiration for Rohit’s leadership, stating, “What I have learnt from Rohit is that he was always a leader on the ground and off it.” He emphasized that Rohit’s leadership extended beyond captaincy, highlighting his role as a guide and mentor for the team. “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. How to play T20 cricket and how to win a tournament? That is what I have learnt from him.”
Addressing the role of all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who was considered a contender for the captaincy, Yadav reassured that his role remains unchanged. “Hardik’s role has always been the same. He is a very important player for the team. The way he performed in the World Cup, I hope he will continue to do the same.”
Yadav expressed his confidence in younger players like Riyan Parag and Rinku Singh, who are set to fill the void left by retiring players. “Three players have retired (and) it will be difficult to fill the shoes. But new players have obviously practiced a lot and played a lot.” He highlighted their successful performances in franchise cricket and the confidence he has in their ability to shine for India.
Reflecting on his own journey, Yadav acknowledged the change he has undergone since facing disciplinary action for his behavior on the field during his time as Mumbai captain ten years ago. “I think it is a complete swap. If you say 2014, it is almost 10 years now. In 10 years, a lot of things will change. You become a different person altogether. You get to learn a lot of things. I am also a completely changed man now.” He attributes this transformation to his marriage in 2016, emphasizing the significant changes that come with personal growth.
Yadav once again acknowledged the influence of Rohit Sharma, stating, “I got to learn a lot of things from different captains I played under and obviously, Rohit Sharma, I have been playing with him for the last six years. There is a lot of learnings taken from him and in my own style, we will take the ship forward.”
Responding to former Kolkata Knight Riders coach Gautam Gambhir’s recent statement expressing regret for not fully utilizing Yadav’s potential, he expressed his excitement about their future collaboration. “We can fulfil that potential together now.” He underscored their strong bond and understanding, stating, “Our bond has always been special. We have talked a lot. We both understand what we want to say just by our body language. Sometimes, even without expressing anything, we understand what each of us want to say. I am very excited for this journey. Let’s see what happens.”
