'That's One Thing You Shouldn't Do Ever as a Sportsman': Suryakumar Reveals Biggest Lesson Learnt from Gambhir

Suryakumar Yadav opened up on camera for the first time since his appointment as India’s T20I captain. After the retirement of Rohit Sharma from the shortest format, Hardik Pandya was expected to fill the leader’s shoes as he was the vice-captain in the recently-concluded T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. However, the management zeroed in on Suryakumar, citing that they needed a player who would be available for the team ‘more often than not’.

Under the leadership of Suryakumar, the Indian team will lock horns with Sri Lanka in a 3-match series, starting from July 27. Ahead of the opening encounter, the ace batter spoke on BCCI.tv and said he has enjoyed being a leader on the field despite not donning the captain’s hat and also learnt the tricks of the trade from different skippers over the years.

“I have always enjoyed being a leader on the field even though I was not the captain. I have always learnt a lot of things from different captains. It’s a good feeling and a great responsibility,” the swashbuckling middle-order batter told BCCI.TV.

Indian cricket is set to embark on a new era under Suryakumar and new head coach Gautam Gambhir. Both Suryakumar and Gambhir have shared a strong bond since the KKR days as they played together in 2014 for the franchise.

Suryakumar, known for his aggressive batting and innovative shots, described his relationship with Gambhir as both special and strong.

“This relationship is special because, in 2014, I played under him in KKR. It was special because from there only I got opportunities. The relationship is still strong.

“He (Gambhir) knows how I work, and what is my mindset when I come to practice sessions. I also know how he tries to work as a coach. It’s all about the lovely relationship we have and very excited to see how it goes forward,” the Mumbai batter said.

By his admission, Suryakumar wants to remain humble and grounded while leading the side on the field as he looks at cricket just as a sport, not life.

“I think the most important thing that I have learned from this sport is how humble you are after achieving or even after not doing well. I have learned when you do something on the ground you have to leave it on the ground,” he said.

“This is not your life, this is just a part of your life. So you can’t be when you are doing well you stay on the top and when you are not doing well, you are underground.

“That’s one thing which you shouldn’t do ever as a sportsman, that’s one thing which I have learned and that’s what helps me create balance in my life. If you are a good person, everything happens good,” he concluded.

(With Agency Inputs)