Ravi Shastri, in his remarks on The ICC Review, expressed confidence in Suryakumar’s potential to excel as India’s T20I captain. He stressed the importance of Suryakumar quickly understanding and managing India’s diverse bowling options to ensure success in his new role.
“One thing that he (Suryakumar) will have to learn from his side is what are the strengths of his bowlers and what are their limitations,” Shastri remarked, as quoted by ICC. “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 is what he will have to learn,” the former head coach added.
Suryakumar Yadav already has leadership experience, having captained India in T20I series against Australia at home and South Africa away in Rohit’s absence following the last year’s ICC ODI World Cup. Additionally, he has led Mumbai domestically on several occasions.
Shastri is optimistic about Suryakumar’s capabilities and believes his dynamic batting style will influence his leadership.
“We know he is street smart… he is one of the best T20 players in the world at the moment,” Shastri said. “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 is not a bad idea at all.”
Reflecting on Suryakumar’s potential captaincy style, Shastri added, “I think it will [captaincy style] be much like his personality, the way he plays the game. He will be thinking very quickly and the fact that he knows all these players, even the senior players, I think he will be in a great position to handle the team.”