India’s newly appointed T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, recently opened up about his unique relationship with head coach Gautam Gambhir, emphasizing their shared history and mutual respect. As the Men in Blue prepare for the upcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, starting on July 27, Yadav’s reflections shed light on the bond between player and coach that dates back to their days with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced Yadav as the T20I captain for the Sri Lanka tour, a decision that surprised many, given Hardik Pandya’s presence in the squad. This appointment marks a new era in Indian cricket under Gambhir’s coaching tenure. Yadav reminisced about his early interactions with Gambhir.
“This relationship is very special because when I joined KKR in 2014, I played under him. It was special because it was an opportunity to play for the franchise, and it felt like a mutual journey where you take a few steps, and he meets you halfway. That’s the kind of relationship we had, and it remains just as strong today,” Suryakumar Yadav shared in a BCCI video.
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Known for his innovative stroke play, the 33-year-old batter emphasized the continuity and depth of their relationship. He highlighted how Gambhir’s understanding of his mindset during practice sessions plays a crucial role in their dynamic.
๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ ๐ด๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ #๐ง๐ฒ๐ฎ๐บ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ‘๐ ๐ง๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป! ๐งข#SLvIND | @surya_14kumar pic.twitter.com/KmWz84jZnP
โ BCCI (@BCCI) July 26, 2024
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“He knows how I work and what my mindset is when I come to practice. It’s all about that lovely relationship we have, and I’m very excited to see how it goes forward,” he added.
Suryakumar Yadav’s appointment follows his exceptional form in T20 cricket and previous leadership experience, having captained India in seven matches during Pandya’s absence in 2023. Gambhir, who has been vocal about Yadav’s leadership qualities since their KKR days, seems to have played a significant role in this decision.
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“The most important thing I have learned from the sport is how to remain humble after achieving success or even when things aren’t going well. When you do something on the ground, you have to leave it on the ground,” Suryakumar Yadav concluded, reflecting on the humility and resilience that have shaped his cricketing journey.
