India’s newly-appointed T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has opened up on his special relationship with head coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka. The series marks the beginning of a new era under head coach Gambhir, who replaced Rahul Dravid after India’s recent T20 World Cup win. One of Gambhir’s crucial early decisions was to appoint Suryakumar as the T20I captain, replacing Hardik Pandya. The choice sparked a lot of talk, but as the start of the series draws closer, the focus is now on the present and the future.
In a video released by the BCCI, Suryakumar said that this relationship is very special. Because when I went in 2014, I played under his leadership for KKR. It was special because from there I got the opportunity to play, for the franchise and… jo bolte hain na, tum teen kadam chale, aap bhi do kadam aaye, aur mere beech mein kahin to mile, waisa rishta tha, strong. Known for his aggressive batting style and innovative shots, Suryakumar emphasised on the mutual understanding and support that defines his relationship with Gambhir. Reflecting on his experiences with Kolkata Knight Riders, Surya explained how this dynamic will benefit the Indian team in their new roles.
He said that he (Gambhir) knows how I work and what my mindset is when I come to the practice session. I also know how he tries to work as a coach. All this is connected to the lovely relationship between us and I am extremely excited to see how it progresses. Gambhir’s tenure as head coach and Suryakumar’s captaincy promise a new approach, aimed at building on India’s recent successes and taking the team to new heights.
Suryakumar said that as a captain, he wants to remain humble because he sees cricket as just a game and not as a life. The Mumbai batsman said, “The most important thing I have learned from this game is how humble you remain even after achieving something or not performing well. I have learned that whatever you do on the field, you should leave it there.” He said, “It is not your life, it is a part of your life. It is important to maintain balance in life. If you are a good person, everything is good.
