Secret behind Gautam Gambhir breathing easy in T20Is? Suryakumar, the leader
Head coach Gautam Gambhir heaped rich praise on Suryakumar Yadav’s ability to connect with players, saying the captain has made his life significantly easier as a coach in the shortest format of the game. Gambhir was speaking to the broadcasters during India’s T20 World Cup campaign, highlighting the impact Suryakumar has had on the current group with his leadership skills.
“Surya has made my life a lot easier in this format,” Gambhir, who has had the most success in T20Is as coach, told Star Sports.
Gambhir said Suryakumar’s batting ability – his experience and trademark 360-degree range – has already been spoken about enough, but it is his calming influence in the dressing room that truly sets him apart.
“I think he is a phenomenal leader of men – not by what he does on the field, not by the type of batter he is, not by the kind of shots that he plays. All that you can keep aside. But the way he relates to players, the way he talks to players, and how relaxed he is on the field,” Gambhir said.
“As a coach, you know you can think about other things because he is going to keep the atmosphere pretty calm. Surya the player, I can keep aside, but Surya the leader has ticked every box. It’s a great thing when you have someone like him leading the country because his heart is in the right place, and he takes the right decisions for the team.”
SURYA SPECIAL IN MUMBAI
Gambhir’s comments came a day after Suryakumar played one of his finest T20I knocks to help India survive a scare against the USA in their T20 World Cup opener in Mumbai on Saturday.
India were in a spot of bother at 77 for 6 in the 13th over after the USA won the toss and opted to field. It appeared the Americans were on course to restrict India to a below-par total, but Suryakumar struck a brilliant 84 off 49 balls to lift the side to 161 for 9 in 20 overs.
Suryakumar remained composed and found a way to score on a Wankhede Stadium surface that was unusually unsuited to free-flowing strokeplay, with the ball stopping and not coming on to the bat as nicely as expected.
Using his range and famed 360-degree approach, he negotiated the bowling threat expertly, hitting 10 boundaries and four sixes.
On the field, Suryakumar also marshalled his bowling resources impressively, backing his frontline bowlers to stay in the hunt for wickets rather than turning to part-time options. The USA were eventually restricted to 132 for 8 in their 20 overs as India survived a wobbly opening-day encounter.
India will be looking to improve as they progress deeper into the tournament. The defending champions arrived at the World Cup as outright favourites, having demolished opponents in bilateral series with both bat and ball. Since taking over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar has led India in 44 matches, winning 35 and losing just seven.
The Indian squad, including captain Suryakumar, arrived in Delhi on Sunday ahead of their next Group A match against Namibia, scheduled for February 12. Coach Gambhir hosted the players for a special dinner at his residence in New Delhi, ensuring the team took a break from the rigours of training, travel and competition during the World Cup.
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