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Suryakumar Yadav Was First Considered As T20I Captain Under Rahul Dravid? Former India Coach Reveals

Suryakumar Yadav in Indian colours (X.com)Suryakumar Yadav in Indian colours (X.com)

Suryakumar Yadav has been recently appointed as the T20I captain of India for the Sri Lanka series and there were quite a few eyebrows raised from the decision, as Hardik Pandya was the designated vice-captain of the side in the recently held T20 World Cup 2024.

Hardik also was leading the Indian team in the absence of Rohit Sharma after the 2022 T20 World Cup, but now when the opportunity came to make him the full-time captain, Suryakumar Yadav was preferred. 

Change In Guard Under Gautam Gambhir

It is speculated that the new coach Gautam Gambhir has played a role in appointing SKY as a captain, but now the former India bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey under Rahul Dravid has revealed that there were discussions regarding handing Suryakumar the captaincy of the Indian team even during Rahul Dravid's tenure.

Paras Mhambrey told Hindustan Times that whenever the captain is chosen, one expects him to captain in all the matches of that particular format. He added that the coaches and selectors always felt that SKY is one player who is a certainty in the T20 format, and has a long future, so he was always looked as a leadership option. Mhambrey also went onto applaud Suryakumar Yadav on the kind of impact he can make with his 360-degree batting.

"First and foremost, when you pick a captain, you expect the captain to play all the games in that format. We, the coaches and selectors, have always felt that here's a guy who's gonna have a long future in the T20 format. He has mastered that skill. One of the best in this format. He and Klaasen are maybe one or two in T20Is now based on their current form. Just the pure impact he has on winning games for India is phenomenal."

Suryakumar Yadav is all set to kickstart his full-time captaincy tenure with three T20Is against Sri Lanka starting from 27th of July.