Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant expressed his optimism about the new T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir for the series against Sri Lanka. Pant hoped for improved team performance with Yadav and Gambhir at the helm.
Suryakumar Yadav took over as India’s T20I captain from Rohit Sharma for the three-match series against Sri Lanka, with Hardik Pandya being overlooked despite his previous role as vice-captain during the T20 World Cup 2024. Gautam Gambhir also stepped in as head coach before the series began.
In the first T20I against Sri Lanka on July 27 in Pallekele, India achieved a solid 43-run victory under the new leadership. The Indian team posted 213 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their 20 overs, while their bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 170 runs, dismissing them in 19.2 overs.
The Start Has Been Pretty Normal – Rishabh Pant
In a video shared by Sony Sports Network on X (formerly Twitter), Rishabh Pant said that he had played with Gautam Gambhir for Delhi in domestic cricket. Rishabh added that Suryakumar Yadav will go a long way as the Indian skipper. He described playing under the new captain and new coach as pretty normal.
“Moving on to this series, new captain, new coach, how’s it been just coming here to Sri Lanka?” the anchor asked.
“I think the start has been pretty normal, I would say. Gauti Bhai has been very welcoming. Surya as a captain has just started, and I think he’s going to go a long way going forward. I have played with him at the domestic level. He played for Delhi also, and it’s been quite a journey. So, looking at lots of positives, haven’t thought about anything else right now, just taking one day at a time. The start is nice, and let’s hope we can do better in the match,” Pant said.
Rishabh Pant was chosen over Sanju Samson for the starting XI in the first T20I of the three-match series. Although Pant struggled during the middle overs, scoring 20 off 20 balls, he found his form in the death overs, boosting his strike rate.
Pant and Suryakumar Yadav combined for a 76-run partnership for the third wicket. Yadav scored 58 runs from 26 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. Pant, on the other hand, contributed 49 runs off 33 balls with six boundaries and one six before being dismissed by Matheesha Pathirana in the 19th over.
Following their strong performance in the series opener, the Indian team is looking to secure another victory in the second T20I to take a 2-0 lead over Sri Lanka. The next match is set to take place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, July 28.
