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Since Rohit Sharma's retirement from Tests, Shubman Gill has taken over the leadership role in Test and ODI format. Gill was named vice-captain for the T20I side as well before the T20 Asia Cup 2025. While it is clear that the selectors and team management are preparing Gill to captain in all formats, T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav does not feel that his leadership position is in danger. Like MS Dhoni, Suryakumar is working on the controllables and leaving everything aside.
“It motivates you to do better. The camaraderie between the two of us is amazing off the field and on the field. I know the kind of player he is, the kind of human being he is. It helps me to do well myself. I left fear long back. I believe if I am following everything that has to be followed, working really hard, everything will be taken care of. But I am really happy for him. He has done really well,” Suryakumar told The Indian Express.
Suryakumar was named captain ahead of Hardik Pandya after Rohit bid goodbye to the format with T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in Barbados. He was named captain keeping the T20 World Cup 2026 at home in mind.
What is Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy style?
The Mumbai batter also opened up about his captaincy style. He labelled himself as a bowler’s captain.
“I am very relaxed on the ground, even when I am under pressure. During fielding, I smile. I let the bowlers have their say. There are a lot of things going in a bowler’s mind. It is a team and it is important to listen to everyone. Everyone brings very different things to the table,” said the 35-year-old.
Suryakumar’s T20I captaincy record
So far, Suryakumar has captained India in 34 T20Is, winning 27 of them, losing five whereas two ended in no result. He has a win percentage of 81.25, even higher than Rohit's.
Suryakumar’s next challenge
After the 2-1 T20I series win on Australian soil, Suryakumar will be in action at home in the five-T20I series against South Africa starting on December 9 in Cuttack.
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