Gautam Gambhir heaped fulsome praise on Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership, saying the India captain has made his job significantly easier in T20 cricket. Speaking to broadcasters during the team’s T20 World Cup campaign, Gambhir emphasised that while Suryakumar’s batting — his experience and signature 360-degree range — is already well publicised, it is the captain’s calm temperament and communication that truly elevate this side.

“Surya has made my life a lot easier in this format,” Gautam Gambhir told Star Sports, going on to highlight how the skipper’s demeanour keeps the dressing room atmosphere composed. “I think he is a phenomenal leader of men — not by what he does on the field, not by the type of batter he is, not by the kind of shots that he plays.

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All that you can keep aside. But the way he relates to players, the way he talks to players, and how relaxed he is on the field.” For Gambhir, a captain who manages pressure and people allows the coach to focus on broader strategy and preparation.

That leadership translated into action in India’s T20 World Cup opener against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium. Pinned back at 77 for 6 in the 13th over, India needed more than a cameo innings — they needed stability. Suryakumar supplied just that, crafting a composed 84 off 49 balls on a surface that offered inconsistent bounce and did not favour free-flowing strokeplay.

Using his trademark 360-degree approach, he struck ten boundaries and four sixes to lift India to 161 for 9 — a competitive total given the conditions and the early wobble. Beyond the personal milestone, SKY’s captaincy decisions proved decisive. He marshalled his bowling resources intelligently, backing frontline bowlers to persist rather than swinging to part-timers for a quick fix. That calm trust paid off as India’s attack ultimately restricted the USA to 132 for 8, turning a potentially tense chase into a controlled victory.

Numbers also back Suryakumar’s tenure. Since taking over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma, he has led India in 44 matches, winning 35 and losing only seven — a record that underlines consistency, tactical nous and an ability to manage momentum across varied conditions.

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Off the field, Gambhir’s decision to host a team dinner at his New Delhi residence underlined the importance of cohesion and mental reset during a packed tournament schedule. The relaxed environment allowed players to decompress, bond and recalibrate before their next Group A match against Namibia on February 12.

In short, Gambhir’s endorsement captures the dual value Suryakumar brings: a match-winning batter with a rare shot repertoire and a level-headed leader who simplifies a coach’s job. In high-stakes tournament cricket, that blend of composure, clear communication and consistent performance is often the thin margin separating contenders from the rest. Ahead, India will lean on Surya’s calm instincts as the tournament progresses; his ability to steady tense moments and bring younger players into roles could prove decisive as India chase the World Cup title.