Following India’s victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the sport. Suryakumar Yadav was named as the new captain of the Twenty20 Indian team earlier this month. “Hardik has always played the same part. He is a crucial member of the team. I hope he keeps performing the way he did throughout the World Cup, Suryakumar told reporters on Friday.
On Saturday, July 27, when India plays Sri Lanka in the opening Twenty20 International of the three-match series at Pallekele, the Mumbai native will take the helm as captain.
In a contest between Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar, the latter came from behind to win the captaincy position.
The all-rounder from Baroda, who finished second to Rohit in the T20 World Cup last month and made some outstanding contributions with the bat and the ball, was anticipated to assume leadership. In addition to managing the Indian T20I team for 16 matches when Rohit was out of the team, Hardik has also led the Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) during the previous three seasons.
Suryakumar, who captained the Mumbai Indians during the 2024 Indian Premier League under Hardik, was ultimately named captain by BCCI top selector Ajit Agarkar and new head coach Gautam Gambhir because they believed he would be less likely to sustain an injury and thus miss less games. The 33-year-old declared on the eve of the opening Twenty20 International that Hardik is a crucial player for the side and expressed the hope that he would carry over his strong performance from the World Cup.
“The bogies have not changed; only the engine has,” stated Suryakumar in reference to Rohit’s replacement.
According to Suryakumar, the Indian team will keep playing the same style of cricket that made them successful when Rohit was captain. The former stated that he wants to take the lead and guide his team.
“The train will proceed as planned; the only modifications are to the engine and the bogies.” Cricket is still the same brand; nothing changes. Not much changes in relation to the captaincy job. I now have more responsibilities as a result of it. That I can now “walk the talk” is a good thing, Suryakumar remarked.
One of the most potent batsmen in contemporary cricket, Suryakumar, also discussed the lessons he took away from playing with Rohit.
“What I have discovered about Rohit is that he has always been a leader, both on and off the pitch. He was much more than just a captain; the two roles are very different.
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He was a group leader who positioned himself in the centre and provided direction. How do you win a competition and play T20 cricket? I have discovered that from him. I had the opportunity to learn a great deal from the various captains I was under, and of course, I have played alongside Rohit Sharma for the past six years. We will move the ship ahead in my own way, having learnt a great deal from him, Suryakumar said.
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