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[Saba Sports News] India’s newly appointed T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has opened up about his unique relationship with head coach Gautam Gambhir, discussing their shared history and mutual respect. The Men in Blue are preparing for the upcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, starting on July 27.
The BCCI recently announced Yadav as the T20I captain for the Sri Lanka tour, a surprising choice given Hardik Pandya’s presence in the squad. This marks a new era in Indian cricket under Gambhir’s coaching.
Reflecting on his relationship with the former opener, Yadav said, “This relationship is very special. When I joined KKR in 2014, I played under him. It was special because it gave me an opportunity to play for the franchise. It’s like we took steps towards each other and met in the middle. That relationship remains strong.”
The prolific batter, known for his innovative strokeplay, highlighted the continuity in their relationship. The 33-year-old emphasized that the head coach understands his mindset during practice sessions and knows how to maximize their time together.
“He knows how I work and what my mindset is when I come to practice sessions. It’s all about that lovely relationship we have, and I’m very excited to see how it goes forward,” Yadav added.
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 praised Yadav’s leadership qualities since their KKR days, seems to have played a crucial role in this decision.
“The most important thing I have learned from the sport is to stay humble, whether you’re succeeding or struggling. When you do something on the ground, you have to leave it on the ground,” Yadav concluded.