07 auguest 2024 : R. Sridhar, the former fielding coach for Team India, has remarked that Suryakumar Yadav fulfills multiple criteria, which led to his appointment as captain for the T20I format. Following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from T20 internationals after India’s victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, many anticipated that Hardik Pandya, who served as vice-captain during the tournament, would assume the captaincy. However, the newly appointed head coach, Gautam Gambhir, selected Suryakumar Yadav to lead the team in this format. Sridhar emphasized that Suryakumar’s strong relationships with his teammates have significantly contributed to his selection as captain.
Sridhar remarked in an interview with Hindustan Times that he has consistently exhibited leadership qualities during his tenure with the Indian team, which has proven beneficial, especially because of his strong relationships with fellow players and the esteem in which they hold him.
Sridhar concurred with chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s assertion that Suryakumar Yadav’s consistent availability, without the need for workload management, was a pivotal factor in his selection.
“The fact that Surya is someone who can participate in every match for India without concerns about workload management has certainly influenced the decision in his favor regarding the captaincy,” Sridhar noted.
“His experiences captaining India in matches where Rohit and Hardik were unavailable have instilled confidence in the BCCI that he is capable of performing exceptionally well in this role,” he added.
Regarding Hardik Pandya’s exclusion from leadership positions across all formats, Sridhar expressed optimism that the all-rounder would eventually reclaim his place.
“I am confident that Hardik will return. He has just led the team to a World Cup victory. Hardik is a unique talent,” he remarked.
“We will ensure that he is well-managed while he continues to play cricket, making certain he is available for significant series and major ICC tournaments,” Sridhar concluded.
Sridhar served as the fielding coach for Team India from 2014 to 2021 and has closely collaborated with both Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya.