Suryakumar Yadav reveals Hardik Pandya is also part of leadership group

India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has revealed that all-rounder Hardik Pandya is also part of the leadership group. Pandya was expected to be given the T20I captaincy after Rohit Sharma’s retirement but the Indian board backed SKY because of latter’s workload management and injury concerns.

For the five-match T20I series against England, Axar Patel has been appointed as the vice-captain of the team, leaving questions on Hardik Pandya’s role in the leadership group.

Pandya also leads Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League and thus it was a surprise when he wasn’t considered for any leadership role in white-ball formats. Recently, Shubman Gill has been named as Rohit Sharma’s deputy for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Speaking ahead of the T20I series opener in Kolkata, Suryakumar said, “The relationship with Pandya has been really great. We have been playing for a very long time now. I still remember 2018 when I went back to Mumbai Indians. And till today, it’s just the added responsibility which I have got. And when we go back to franchise cricket, it shifts so that I can relax a little bit. But yeah, we have been good friends on the field. We know what we want going forward with the team.

“And Axar has been given that added responsibility. We saw what he did in the 2024 World Cup. He has been with the team for a very long time right now. But at the same time, Hardik is also a part of the leadership group. When we sit, we decide what we want to do in the game going forward and also on the field. He is always around. So, it’s like we have a lot of captains on the ground.”

Meanwhile, SKY also played under Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy for Kolkata Knight Riders and said the head coach gives a lot of freedom to his players.

“I’ve played under Gauti bhai for four years. I’ve spent a lot of time with him. I know how he works. He also knows that – even without talking so many times, he knows what to say to each other. And his journey started with the Sri Lanka series. He was there with Bangladesh. He wasn’t in South Africa because he went for Test preparations. But he gave a start. I like his coaching style. And we are moving in the right direction.

“He gives a lot of freedom and he lets the players express themselves. And he keeps it very simple. He knows what goes on in the minds of the players. And he keeps it very light. A very relaxed atmosphere in the dressing room,” said Suryakumar.

India and England will take on each other in the opening T20I at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Wednesday.