New Delhi: India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav recently revealed how he pipped Hardik Pandya to the leadership role after the T20 World Cup 2024. Suryakumar was appointed as India’s T20I skipper following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the shortest format post the team’s triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024.
The decision came as a surprise to many as star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was the favourite to take over the baton from Rohit after he retired from T20Is. Hardik led India in T20Is in the absence of Rohit and Virat Kohli in the 2022-23 season after the two senior batters were sidelined from the shortest format.
However, an injury to Hardik right before India’s final T20I assignment against Afghanistan before the T20 World Cup 2024 saw Rohit return as captain. Kohli also made his comeback in the T20I setup and the duo eventually played for India in the T20 World Cup 2024, with Rohit leading the team.
India went on to win the T20 World Cup unbeaten to end over a decade-long ICC trophy drought. Rohit and Kohli announced their retirements from T20Is after the memorable triumph. Many felt Hardik, who played a key role in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 victory, would replace Rohit as captain.
However, Suryakumar was appointed the captain after the World Cup, leaving fans surprised. India’s T20I skipper SKY recently revealed the circumstances that led to his appointment as T20I skipper over Hardik. The star batter said the decision was heavily influenced by Rohit and former India head coach Rahul Dravid.
“So we waited for a few days before the series. Then there was a time when Jay Bhai, the BCCI secretary at that time, called me three or four days before the Sri Lanka series. I think we were going to Sri Lanka,” Suryakumar Yadav said in an interview with PTI, recalling his appointment as T20I captain.
“He called me and told me that they were making me the captain of the T20 team going forward. Yes, he called me first. But I was pretty sure that it was all being planned by Rohit Bhai and Ajit Bhai at that time,” he added.
Suryakumar insisted India’s current head coach Gautam Gambhir came on board later and that the decision to make him the captain had already been made by Dravid, Rohit and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who then informed then BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
“Gautam Bhai came in later. They, along with Rahul Sir, Rahul Dravid, the coach then, had discussed it with Jay Bhai. Then they decided that I should lead India going forward,” Suryakumar added.