India's T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav has opened up on his equation with the newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir as they collaborate for the first time in Indian colors during the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. The T20I series between India and Sri Lanka will kick off from July 27, with Suryakumar named as captain for the T20I series, marking the beginning of Gambhir's highly anticipated tenure as head coach of the Indian team. Suryakumar, who has previously led India, talked about the special bond his shares with Gambhir, which dates back even when he was not officially captaining the side. Gambhir and Suryakumar used to share the same dressing during their playing days with KKR. Recently, under Gambhir's mentorship KKR became IPL 2024 champions.
Suryakumar on his equation with Gambhir
India lost the toss and were put to bat first against Sri Lanka in the first T20I at the Pallekele stadium on July 27. Right after losing the toss, Suryakumar said:
" It (the pitch) looks good and it is fine to bat first. The brand of cricket remains the same. The relationship between me and him (Gambhir) have had for so many years [right from the KKR days], is special. Dube, Samson, Khaleel and Washington are the four players to miss out. That (World Cup) is history, we start from scratch and it is a new challenge.”
Notably, Suryakumar captained India in seven T20 Internationals last year, splitting his time between home matches against Australia and away games against South Africa. He led India to victory in five of these matches, suffering defeats in the remaining two.
Earlier, reflecting on his connection with Gambhir, Suryakumar had mentioned his early IPL days playing under the current Indian coach's captaincy for KKR.
"I have always enjoyed being a leader on the field even though I was not the captain. I have always learnt a lot of things from different captains. It's a good feeling and a great responsibility," Suryakumar had told BCCI.TV ahead of the first T20I against Sri Lanka.
"This relationship is special because in 2014 I played under him in KKR. It was special because from there only I got opportunities. The relationship is still strong. He (Gambhir) knows how I work, what is my mindset when I come to practice sessions. I also know how he tries to work as a coach. It's all about the lovely relationship we have and very excited to see how it goes forward," he had further added.
Talking about the match, Sri Lanka won the toss and invited India to bat first in the first T20I. Meanwhile, Suryakumar, in his first assignment as captain, benched four star players Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar and Khaleel Ahmed for the series opener. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will also head into this match under new leadership with Charith Asalanka taking the reins from Wanindu Hasaranga as their new T20I captain.
India's playing XI:
Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Riyan Parag, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj.
Sri Lanka's Playing XI:
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
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