Suryakumar Yadav has found immediate success as the India cricket team’s T20I captain. Having taken over the job permanently in Sri Lanka, Surya has taken Team India forward. The camaraderie seems to be better than before; the team isn’t just winning but also enjoying themselves on the field. SKY reveals that a big reason behind his success as India’s skipper has been Rohit Sharma.
What Suryakumar’s learnt from observing Rohit
His predecessor remains the most successful T20I captain India has ever had. Suryakumar reveals that he keeps notice of how Rohit handles things. How he remains calm in the face of adversity. His communication skills and treatment of his teammates as their leader also stand out for Surya.
“When I am on the ground, I keep noticing him. How his body language is and how he keeps calm and how he treats his bowlers, how he speaks to everyone on and off the field. I know how he treats his players, what he wants from them. That route I have also taken as he has been successful. Obviously, I have put my own masala in it (his own ideas). It’s been going smooth,” SKY said before the first India vs South Africa T20I.
Rohit Sharma’s philosophy
Suryakumar Yadav seems to be a calm and collected captain on the field. He’s often seen joking around and hardly, if ever, can be seen with a grim look on his face. He adds that’s something he’s learned from Rohit as well. As per his Mumbai senior, you should change yourself irrespective of the outcome of the match. Win or lose, you try to remain the same, true to yourself.
“Winning and losing is part and parcel of sports. Everyone has done hard work. Sometimes you do well and sometimes you don’t. I have learnt from him (Rohit Sharma) that in life, balance is important, after doing well, even if you lose, your character should not change. This is one quality sportsman should have,” Surya added.
Keeping his teammates comfortable
Surya’s already seen several young players find success under him, despite leading in just six matches. As a leader, he wants to be comfortable with his teammates. That’s especially difficult with youngsters, who’ve just made the team. SKY reveals that he talks with his players off the field and gauges what’s on their minds and if he can help them in any manner so they perform better.
“From a leader, you expect how much time one spends with his guys to build that comfort level. I also try that with my boys. Even when I am not playing, I try to hang out with players, have a meal with them, little things done off the field reflect on the on-field performance,” the Indian skipper said.
“You have to understand what’s happening around and what’s going on in their minds. There needs to be a comfort level as they have different types of skill sets. The freedom to express themselves is very important and I am trying to give them that. Whatever is on their mind, I listen carefully and I try and spend a lot of time with them to understand, who can deliver for me under pressure and in crunch situations,” Suryakumar concluded.
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