Mumbai, July 27, 2024 – Newly appointed T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has emphasized Hardik Pandya’s critical role in the Indian cricket team, affirming that his responsibilities and contributions remain pivotal. Suryakumar, who recently succeeded Hardik Pandya in the T20I captaincy, expressed confidence in Pandya’s ability to continue his stellar performance from the T20 World Cup 2024.
“Hardik’s role has always been the same. He is a very important player for the team. The way he performed in the World Cup, I hope he will continue to do the same,” Suryakumar stated in an interview with PTI. Despite concerns about their relationship following the captaincy transition, both players have shown mutual respect and camaraderie during training sessions.
Suryakumar, who has learned significantly from former T20I captain Rohit Sharma, aims to maintain the team’s aggressive style of play. “The same train will go ahead; only the engine has changed and the bogies remain unchanged,” Suryakumar remarked. “Nothing changes; the brand of cricket remains the same. It (the captaincy role) doesn’t change anything. It has given me an added responsibility. It is good that now I can do a ‘walk the talk.'”
Reflecting on Rohit’s leadership, Suryakumar noted, “What I have learnt from Rohit is that he was always a leader on the ground and off it. He was not just a captain – there is a lot of difference between the two. He was a leader who stood in the middle of the group and showed people the way. How to play T20 cricket and how to win a tournament? That is what I have learnt from him.”
The T20I series between India and Sri Lanka, starting July 27, will be the first test of Suryakumar’s captaincy, with Pandya playing as an all-rounder.
