Former India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed his happiness for his long-time Mumbai teammate, Shreyas Iyer, on being named the new skipper of the men’s T20I side. The two players, who have shared the field for Mumbai and India, met during a T20 Mumbai League match where Suryakumar led Triumph Knights MNE, and Shreyas was an Impact Substitute for SoBo Mumbai Falcons.
During the match, Suryakumar and Shreyas shared a warm hug, showcasing the strong bond they have developed over the years. Despite being replaced as captain, Suryakumar graciously congratulated Shreyas on his new role leading the national T20 side. He highlighted the significance of three consecutive Mumbai captains now leading India in T20 cricket, calling it a proud moment for all.
Suryakumar’s remarks came after the BCCI made significant changes to India’s T20I setup, including Shreyas’ appointment as captain. The decision to replace Suryakumar was acknowledged as tough by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, especially considering Suryakumar’s leadership in securing the T20 World Cup earlier this year. However, the selectors opted for a fresh leadership approach, citing Shreyas’ strong leadership qualities and consistent performances across formats.
In a show of support, Suryakumar also took to social media to wish the Indian team success, sharing a picture of the squad on his Instagram story with a message of encouragement. Additionally, he congratulated Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on his maiden India call-up, expressing excitement to witness the young talent’s journey. Despite the end of his tenure as India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar’s public messages throughout the day reflected his support for his successor and the upcoming generation of Indian cricketers.
