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India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed his admiration for Test captain Rohit Sharma, highlighting the latter's ability to maintain composure amidst both triumphs and setbacks.
Suryakumar Yadav on Rohit Sharma's captaincy
Speaking to the press ahead of the first T20I against South Africa in Durban, Suryakumar was asked about the pressure on Rohit Sharma following India's recent 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand.
"In sports, wins and losses keep happening. Everybody works hard, everybody works hard to win. Sometimes, it works and sometimes it doesn’t. I have learnt this from him (Rohit) only -- in life, being balanced is important. I have never seen his character change after his good and bad times. I have seen him grow as a lot as a player and as a leader," Suryakumar Yadav said.
"A leader wants to define how the team wants to play the format. A captain always wants to win, but a leader defines a style," he added.
Following India's surprising 0-3 home Test series defeat to New Zealand, questions arose about Rohit Sharma's captaincy. This was the first time a visiting team had achieved such a dominant victory in a multi-Test series against India.
However, the focus has now shifted to the upcoming four-match T20I series against South Africa, starting on November 8th. India has fielded a young team, featuring seven members of the recent T20 World Cup-winning squad. Notably, Test regulars like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Jasprit Bumrah are absent, as they are preparing for the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
I have learnt a lot from Rohit bhai: Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav will have a familiar squad at his disposal, having led a similar group of players against Bangladesh last month. Describing his leadership style, Suryakumar mentioned that it's not as aggressive as his batting. He acknowledged the significant influence of Rohit Sharma's leadership style, while also incorporating his own unique approach.
"I have learnt a lot from Rohit bhai. I have played with him in franchise cricket. When I am on the ground, I keep noticing him -- how his body language is, how he handles pressure, how he remains calm and how he talks to his bowlers and treats others. And you expect your leader to spend time with you," Surya further stated.
"I try to do the same. When I am not on the field, I try to spend time with the players, eat with them go out for dinner and travel with them. I think these small things reflect on the ground. If you want to earn your teammate’s respect and you want him to deliver, these things matter," he further added
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Suryakumar further explained his leadership approach, emphasizing his focus on building strong relationships with his players and maximizing their potential. He credits Rohit Sharma for teaching him the importance of spending quality time with the team off the field.
"As a leader, my batting style is completely different. I can’t be as aggressive as a captain. But, yeah, you have to understand what’s happening around you, I have to understand what my players are thinking. Giving them a comfort zone is very important. Everybody has their skills. They also want to come out and express themselves. That freedom is very important.
"Off the field, I spend a lot of time with them. Getting to know one another is important. I try and assess their strengths and see when they can come of use for the team in pressure and crunch situations. That’s how I am on the field.
The 34-year-old went on to say that T20I format is such that one keeps playing and keeps learning
"This format is such that you keep playing and keep learning. It’s so fast. By the time, you blink, this game is over. So freedom and clarity of thought are very important.
"I have learnt a lot from Rohit. I have played a lot with him in franchise tournaments. Recently, also, I also saw him leading in big tournaments and bilateral series. I know how he treats the players and what he wants from them. That route, I have also taken. I know it has worked well. And then I have added a bit of my masala, I am taking the team forward," he concluded.
