All eyes were on the recently anointed T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, as the Indian cricket team touched down in Sri Lanka ahead of their forthcoming three-match T20I and ODI series.
The team’s first practise session at the gorgeous Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was guided by the dynamic batter, who is renowned for his unconventional approach. This marked the start of a new era in Indian T20 cricket.
The choice to give Yadav the T20I captaincy is a part of a big change in Indian cricket history. In anticipation of the T20 World Cup 2026, the selectors have decided to replace Hardik Pandya as vice captain, who held the position after the 2024 tournament.
On camera, captain Suryakumar Yadav and pacer Mohammed Siraj led the group as they descended to the ground, followed by their colleagues.
Now watching: #TeamIndia‘s new T20I captain 🇮🇳💙
Go well, Surya Dada 👏#SonySportsNetwork #SLvIND | @surya_14kumar pic.twitter.com/aXSic8Z4PS
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 23, 2024
The fact that this was Gautam Gambhir’s first task as the new head coach made the practice very important. Rahul Dravid was replaced in the position by the former Indian opener. In addition to providing leadership, Suryakumar’s nomination as captain gives him a chance to write his name in the annals of history.
Also Read: Shubman Gill could one day lead India in each of the three formats: Vikram Rathour
With just 158 runs remaining to beat Rohit Sharma and take the lead as India’s top run scorer in Twenty20 Internationals against Sri Lanka, the prolific batter is poised for a historic moment. Suryakumar is in a good position to accomplish this throughout the forthcoming series with 254 runs from five innings at an amazing average of 63.50, which includes two fifties and a century.
India squad vs Sri Lanka for 3 T20Is
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Ꮪhubman Gill (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohd. Siraj.