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India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav recently shared his thoughts on stepping into the leadership role vacated by Rohit Sharma. He acknowledged the invaluable lessons he has gained from the Indian ODI and Test captain, expressing his intention to emulate Sharma’s successful strategies.
As Suryakumar Yadav takes the helm of the Indian T20I squad, the new chapter begins with a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, starting on July 27 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Following Rohit Sharma’s decision to retire from the T20I format, the captaincy role became available. Initially, Hardik Pandya was tipped to assume the position, but concerns over his fitness and workload management led to a change in plans.
The BCCI, along with team management and Gautam Gambhir, chose Suryakumar Yadav for the captaincy. His consistent performances and top rankings in T20Is have made him a standout player for India and a fitting choice for the role.
Throughout his career, Yadav has played extensively under Rohit Sharma, whether with the Mumbai Indians or the Indian national team. Their successful partnership has been instrumental in numerous victories.
With Rohit Sharma retiring as the T20 World Cup 2024-winning captain, Suryakumar Yadav faces the challenge of filling his predecessor’s substantial shoes. The expectations will be high, but Yadav is determined to rise to the occasion and lead the team to success.
Prior to the opening T20I against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team, Suryakumar Yadav addressed the media at a press conference. He reflected on the leadership lessons he has absorbed from Rohit Sharma and mentioned his intention to adopt a similar approach to that of his predecessor.
“Rohit Sharma was a leader. I have learned the art of leadership from him. The template will be the same.”
Suryakumar Yadav also noted that he has undergone significant personal and professional growth over the past decade. He highlighted how much he has learned about leadership from Rohit Sharma, emphasizing that these insights have been instrumental in his development as a captain.
“From 2014-15 to now, it is almost 10 years. I’m a completely changed man now. I have learnt a lot of things about the captaincy, especially from Rohit Sharma.”
Suryakumar Yadav is poised to lead assertively, given his crucial role as the backbone of the Indian T20I side. As he steps into his new leadership role, Gautam Gambhir will also be keen to make a strong start, with both aiming to propel the Indian team to new heights.
