Shubman Gill's rise evokes 'fear' in Suryakumar Yadav: Details
What's the story
India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has opened up about the fears he harbors for his career. The 35-year-old cricketer said that he isn't immune to these fears, especially with Shubman Gill being appointed captain in ODIs and Tests and vice-captain in T20Is. However, instead of letting these fears consume him, Suryakumar uses them as motivation to improve his game.
Team dynamics
'Everyone feels that fear'
Suryakumar expressed his happiness over Gill's captaincy in two formats, saying he has done really well. The T20I skipper also talked about the strong bond they share both on and off the field. "I won't lie, everyone feels that fear. But it is the kind of fear that keeps you motivated," he told The Indian Express while emphasizing their camaraderie and his respect for Gill as a player and human being.
Career journey
Debut game for SKY
Suryakumar made his T20I debut at the age of 31. He didn't get a chance to bat in his first match against England but made an instant impact in his second game, scoring 57 off just 31 balls. Reflecting on this moment, he said that if he had let fears about his future control him, that shot wouldn't have happened.
Leadership roles
Rise of Gill and change in captaincy
Gill's rise has been meteoric. He became India's Test captain shortly after Rohit Sharma retired from the format earlier this year. In his first assignment, he led India to a remarkable 2-2 draw in a five-Test series in England. Earlier this month, Gill was appointed ODI captain with Rohit still part of the squad. Meanwhile, Suryakumar took over as T20I captain last July after Rohit stepped down following India's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph.