Suryakumar Yadav takes cues from Rohit Sharma to be a player's captain
India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has insisted that his captaincy style is in complete contrast to that of his batting in the format.
On the eve of the first T20I against South Africa, Suryakumar stated that he has picked up captaincy traits from Rohit Sharma, India's T20 World Cup-winning captain who retired from the format after the achievement in June.
"I know how he [Rohit Sharma] treats the players, what he wants from them. So that route I have also taken because he's been very successful recently," Suryakumar said.
"When I am on the ground, I keep noticing how his body language is, how calm he is under pressure situations, how he talks to the bowlers, how he treats everyone on the field and off the field.
"Most importantly, from a leader you expect how much time he is spending with you, to have that comfort. I try to replicate that.
"When I am not on the ground, I try and spend time with my team-mates, have a meal with them, travel together. These are the small things which reflect on the ground."
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Under Suryakumar, India have won 11 out of 13 T20Is so far, but the stiffest test yet will come in South Africa where the team is set to play four T20Is over the next few days.
With the team in transition under a new leader, the onus has been on the youngsters to step up and skipper Suryakumar is glad they have done so.
"They have made my job very easy if you've seen the last two to three series," Suryakumar said.
"I have told them to keep the needs of the team in front, and whatever calls they take, we are here to back them.
"Everyone knows what they have to do. The kind of cricket they play for their state, the franchise, the same they have to play here. Just the colour of the jersey changes and the emotions get heightened.
"But the kind of cricket they have been playing, they should just play the same way. It feels refreshing to see them play."
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What has helped Suryakumar though is the understanding that "everyone has different skillsets". His focus, he says, has been on giving freedom and clarity to the players on the field.
Suryakumar has led India before in South Africa, in December 2023 when the series was shared 1-1.
The first T20I of the upcoming series will be played in Durban on Friday with subsequent games in Gqeberha, Centurion and Johannesburg.
Meanwhile, a different set of players will be travelling to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Suryakumar, who is currently a limited-overs specialist, will lead the white-ball players in South Africa while Rohit takes over in Australia for the Tests.
That said, the T20I captain hasn't given up hopes on adding to his lone Test cap, stating that he is trying to play as many domestic games as possible in a bid to return to the red-ball format.
"I am playing all the domestic tournaments, be it red-ball or white-ball," said Suryakumar. "I don't miss any game. If that [Test comeback] has to happen, it will happen."