Suryakumar Yadav addressed the media ahead in his first pre-match press conference as India's permanent T20I skipper, and had words of high praise for his predecessor Rohit Sharma.
India are set to take on Sri Lanka in the first T20I of a three-match series on Saturday, July 27. In a joint pre-match press conference with opposite number Charith Asalanka, 'SKY' took questions from the media on captaincy, performance and much more.
Suryakumar Yadav: The train will move forward, only the engine has changed
Surya spoke passionately about the opportunity to lead India, one that has come at a late stage in his cricketing career. The batter was appointed captain ahead of this series after Rohit retired from international cricket in the shortest format, along with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja.
"Suryakumar Yadav's elevation to being appointed as the captain of the T20I team is aimed at enhancing the stability of the T20I squad that has lacked any uniformity in the last few years."
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) July 23, 2024
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On being asked about how he differed from Rohit, Surya said, "I always think that what I've learnt from Rohit Sharma is, he was always like a leader. On the ground and off the field. He wasn't like a 'captain'.
"There's a lot of difference between those two things. He was a leader, who used to stand within the group and show people the way, on how to play T20 cricket, and how to win tournaments. So that is what I have learnt from him.
"And it's more of the same. The train will keep moving forward, it's only that the engine has changed. The bogeys (compartments) all remain the same."
Suryakumar Yadav: I have faith in the new players
Surya was also asked about how India would go about replacing the talents of Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja. The captain admitted that their shoes would be extremely difficult to fill, but emphasised that he had complete faith in the younger players entering the team to do a good job.
"They have practiced so much, they have played so much," he said. "They are already doing well when they play franchise cricket, and whenever they have played for India. I have full faith in those who have come in their place, to perform well."
India fans, what will be your playing XI for the first T20I?
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) July 24, 2024
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Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill are expected to be India's new openers after Rohit and Kohli, while the most straightforward replacement for Jadeja appears to be Washington Sundar at this point in time. Either way, the three matches against Sri Lanka will indicate which direction this team management wants to go in.
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