Former fast bowler Ashish Nehra said that Team India’s new head coach Gautam Gambhir picked Suryakumar Yadav as the team’s T20I captain as the two have previously worked together for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as well. He also mentioned that Gambhir has a good idea about Yadav’s leadership abilities. Notably, Hardik Pandya was expected to be India’s captain in the format after Rohit Sharma announced his T20I retirement following the 2024 T20 World Cup. He was India’s vice-captan in the marquee event.

Nehra said during an interview with TimesofIndia.com: “Surya played at KKR when GG (Gambhir) was there. So, it’s not like a new coach has come in and Surya has become a new skipper. It’s because they know each other well. GG knows Surya’s capabilities and strengths as a player and captain. If we see other countries, they have had three different captains or two different captains for a long time. I am sure captain Surya will do well under coach GG.”

However, Suryakumar Yadav’s stint as India’s full-time T20I captain began with a series win as India beat Sri Lanka by  3-0 in the recently concluded three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. India’s tour of Sri Lanka was also Gautam Gambhir’s first assignment as head coach of India.

“The main captain is Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill has been announced as his deputy. If you look at T20Is, India will play 5 or 6 T20Is this year. Surya has been part of the Indian side for a while. Rohit is there in the Indian side and will be leading in the other two formats – ODIs and Tests. Virat is there too. After winning the World Cup, this is a good transition in the Indian team. You have a lot of replacements,” Ashish Nehra concluded.