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Suryakumar Yadav reveals Gautam Gambhir groomed him for captaincy since KKR days, calls head coach 'a very smart man'

Suryakumar Yadav described head coach Gautam Gambhir as a calm guy off the field. He recalled when Gambhir talked about leadership with him at KKR.

Sports Tak

• Sun • 09 Mar 2025

India's captain Suryakumar Yadav (L) talks with head coach Gautam Gambhir during warm up before the start of first T20I between Sri Lanka and India at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on July 27, 2024.

Highlights:

Suryakumar Yadav represented KKR from IPL 2014 to IPL 2017.

Suryakumar captained Mumbai team before taking over as India's T20I captain.

Suryakumar called head coach Gautam Gambhir 'a good man'.

India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav played four Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) before joining Mumbai Indians (MI). Suryakumar played under current head coach Gautam Gambhir's captaincy when KKR lifted the IPL trophy for the second time in the 2014 edition. Recalling his conversations with Gambhir, Suryakumar revealed that the former KKR captain spoke to him about leadership and he learnt a lot from him.

"When I was with KKR, he always spoke to me about leadership, how to carry on the field, what to do off the field, may be a better captain. I have learnt a lot from him, he is a very smart man," Suryakumar said at the 'India Today Conclave'.

Suryakumar was asked whether Gambhir is often misunderstood by people.

"He is a normal guy. Off the field, he does not say anything, does not utter any single word, no reaction. He is a good man," he replied.

Suryakumar was named India's T20I captain ahead of Hardik Pandya following Rohit Sharma's retirement after T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. Before leading the Indian team, Suryakumar has led Mumbai across formats as well.

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Suryakumar on his approach as captain

Suryakumar talked about the fearless approach he wants to instill in the T20I team and has often succeeded so far.

"In a match, say two batters score 75 runs each, then two or three other batters can have 12-ball 30 like that to post a big total. We have to be fearless, either we win or we learn," the 34-year-old said.

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Suryakumar also talked about the importance of a calm and happy dressing room.

"The camaraderie and trust which is seen on the ground among the players, most importantly the dug out is relaxed. When you see the dug out is relaxed, that means something right is happening inside," said the T20 specialist.

Suryakumar will be seen in action when MI take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at MA Chidambaram Stadium on March 23.

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