Former India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has shared a light-hearted take on where he would seat some of his prominent teammates in a car, offering humorous descriptions of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya. With the IPL 2027 season approaching, the Mumbai Indians batter’s playful answers have offered fans another glimpse into his relationships with some of Indian cricket’s biggest names.
When asked about his preferred seating arrangements, Suryakumar jokingly suggested that Rohit should not be behind the steering wheel because he might forget the directions. He wanted Kohli seated directly behind the driver, while Hardik would have to sit on the roof because of his outgoing personality.
“Not in the driving seat, as he will forget to take left or right. I will keep him on the side. (Rohit) Right behind the driver. He’s fun to chat with. (Kohli) On the roof. He likes to be seen. He is that kind of character (Hardik),” he said, as quoted by Mashable Middle East.
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Beyond the humour, Suryakumar Yadav also discussed the lessons he has learnt from sharing the dressing room with Rohit and Kohli. Having played alongside both senior batters for India and in different team environments, he has closely observed their preparation, leadership and approach to the game.
Suryakumar revealed that he deliberately scheduled his training sessions around Kohli’s practice routine to understand the former India captain’s approach to fitness and preparation. He described Kohli as a player whose commitment to training sets him apart.
“I have played with Virat. I had only heard from other players about how he carried himself. But during practice and when he used to train, I would keep my timing with him so I could see how he was training. He was and still is a completely different beast,” Suryakumar Yadav said.
He credited Rohit with helping him develop his leadership qualities, particularly through their time together at Mumbai Indians and with the Indian team. Suryakumar admired the way Rohit understands individual players and conducts himself both on and off the field.
The India batter also spoke about the influence of head coach Gautam Gambhir, highlighting the importance of combining a strong winning mentality with humility. According to Suryakumar Yadav, Gambhir has taught him to remain fiercely competitive during matches while maintaining respect for others away from the field.
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“I picked up the winning attitude from Gauti bhai. You have to be ruthless and very competitive, but at the same time, you have to be humble as well. I have learnt that humility from him,” he explained.
Gambhir became India’s head coach after Rahul Dravid’s tenure ended following the 2024 T20 World Cup, while Suryakumar was appointed full-time T20I captain around the same period. As attention turns towards IPL 2027, Suryakumar’s comments underline how his experiences with senior players and coaches have shaped his own approach to cricket and leadership.
