India’s T20 captain Suryakumar says he is ready to fight it out to stake claim for Test spot
COIMBATORE: The recent T20I series in Sri Lanka marked the beginning of not only Gautam Gambhir‘s India coaching stint but also Suryakumar Yadav‘s tenure as the permanent captain in the shortest format.
Both Gambhir and Suryakumar had a lot to smile about at the end of the assignment as they got off to the perfect start with a 3-0 drubbing of the Lankans.
With Gambhir throwing his weight behind him, Suryakumar, one of the most destructive batters in T20s, hardly put a foot wrong as skipper. The 33-yearold did not shy away from thinking out of the box when required, a move which enabled India to pull off an improbable win in the third and final match.
Gambhir’s decision to give a “free hand” to the team members is helping players express themselves, according to Suryakumar. “The way he (Gambhir) played his cricket for India, it was amazing. He understands each player’s game. He knows what players like to do on the ground and during practice sessions,” said Suryakumar, who is in Coimbatore to represent Mumbai in the Buchi Babu tournament Group C match against TNCA XI.
“He has given a free hand to everyone. As a team, when we come together, it is important to jot down all the thoughts that players have. We will think about it, go out and be ourselves.”
While Suryakumar has been the backbone of India’s T20I batting line-up in the last three and-a-half years, he has struggled to break into the Test squad. His only appearance in the longest format came against Australia in Nagpur in Feb 2023.
But Suryakumar is motivated to force his way back into the red-ball scheme of things. “There are a lot of players who have worked hard to earn their place in the Test squad. Even I want to earn a place. After I made my debut for India in Tests, I got injured. The players who have got opportunities, they have done well. Those are the players who deserve the opportunity right now,” he said.
Suryakumar emphasised that playing red-ball cricket has been his top “priority” since the time he made his state-team debut. “The love for red-ball cricket has always been there. Though I made my debut for India in the shorter formats first, I have always enjoyed playing this format. Red-ball cricket has always been the first priority. There is no question about it and that is why I am here ahead of the Duleep Trophy,” Suryakumar said.
“This format is a little challenging, you have to be one step ahead. You cannot bat like in a T20 game. But at the same time, intent is very important. What body language you carry on the ground, that is very important. If you do well, stay humble. If you do not do well, go back to the basics and drawing board, start and come back again.”
COIMBATORE: The recent T20I series in Sri Lanka marked the beginning of not only Gautam Gambhir‘s India coaching stint but also Suryakumar Yadav‘s tenure as the permanent captain in the shortest format.
Both Gambhir and Suryakumar had a lot to smile about at the end of the assignment as they got off to the perfect start with a 3-0 drubbing of the Lankans.
With Gambhir throwing his weight behind him, Suryakumar, one of the most destructive batters in T20s, hardly put a foot wrong as skipper. The 33-yearold did not shy away from thinking out of the box when required, a move which enabled India to pull off an improbable win in the third and final match.
Gambhir’s decision to give a “free hand” to the team members is helping players express themselves, according to Suryakumar. “The way he (Gambhir) played his cricket for India, it was amazing. He understands each player’s game. He knows what players like to do on the ground and during practice sessions,” said Suryakumar, who is in Coimbatore to represent Mumbai in the Buchi Babu tournament Group C match against TNCA XI.
“He has given a free hand to everyone. As a team, when we come together, it is important to jot down all the thoughts that players have. We will think about it, go out and be ourselves.”
While Suryakumar has been the backbone of India’s T20I batting line-up in the last three and-a-half years, he has struggled to break into the Test squad. His only appearance in the longest format came against Australia in Nagpur in Feb 2023.
But Suryakumar is motivated to force his way back into the red-ball scheme of things. “There are a lot of players who have worked hard to earn their place in the Test squad. Even I want to earn a place. After I made my debut for India in Tests, I got injured. The players who have got opportunities, they have done well. Those are the players who deserve the opportunity right now,” he said.
Suryakumar emphasised that playing red-ball cricket has been his top “priority” since the time he made his state-team debut. “The love for red-ball cricket has always been there. Though I made my debut for India in the shorter formats first, I have always enjoyed playing this format. Red-ball cricket has always been the first priority. There is no question about it and that is why I am here ahead of the Duleep Trophy,” Suryakumar said.
“This format is a little challenging, you have to be one step ahead. You cannot bat like in a T20 game. But at the same time, intent is very important. What body language you carry on the ground, that is very important. If you do well, stay humble. If you do not do well, go back to the basics and drawing board, start and come back again.”
