Suryakumar Yadav. (Image Credits: Getty)

Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri has dissected how Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I captaincy style ahead of beginning his tenure with the series against Sri Lanka. The former Team India all-rounder sees Suryakumar being in a great position to lead the side. He claimed that the batter’s leadership style will match his vibrant personality.

The Mumbai-born cricketer pipped Hardik Pandya to be appointed as the T20I skipper. He replaced Rohit Sharma, who retired from the format after the World Cup last month. The right-hander has captained the Men in Blue in eight T20Is, winning five, with one ending as no result.

In the episode of the ICC Review, Shastri reflected that Suryakumar is an outright match-winner and the way he bats should show in his captaincy style. He said:

“We know he is street smart…he is one of the best T20 players in the world at the moment. He is a match-winner on his own, walks into the team day in, day out in that format of the game on his own steam, so I think it’s not a bad idea at all.

“I think it’ll [captaincy style] be much like his personality, the way he plays the game. He’ll be thinking very quickly and the fact that he knows all these players, even the senior players, I think he’ll be in a great position to handle the team.”

The 33-year-old played crucial knocks in the T20 World Cup 2024 against Australia, Afghanistan, and England. However, the most memorable moment was the catch he took of David Miller in the final against South Africa in Barbados as India won the game.

“Strengths of his bowlers and what are the limitations” – Ravi Shastri on what must be Suryakumar Yadav’s focus

Ravi Shastri. (Image Credits: Getty)
Shastri went on to claim that Suryakumar must understand the bowlers’ strengths and weaknesses to shuffle them accordingly. The 62-year-old added:

“One thing that he (Suryakumar) will have to learn from his side, is what are the strengths of his bowlers and what are the limitations. I never say a bowler has a weakness, I say a limitation and then there are strengths. And then focus on the right things and set fields accordingly. I think that’s what he will have to learn.”