The first T20I between India and England will be played in Kolkata on January 22.
India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav finally broke his silence on senior all-rounder Hardik Pandya losing his Men in Blue vice-captaincy as Axar Patel was promoted to the position for the five-T20I series against England starting January 22.
Suryakumar Yadav remarked on Tuesday that Hardik Pandya remains a key member of the leadership team, despite the appointment of Axar Patel as his deputy.
Following Rohit Sharma's departure from T20Is last year, Hardik was expected to head the side, but Suryakumar was given the job after new coach Gautam Gambhir arrived.
Hardik was relieved of his vice-captain duties before England T20Is, and Axar took over. Suryakumar, on the other hand, emphasized that he still has a good relationship with his IPL captain and that Hardik remains an important member of the leadership group.
"My relationship with him has been really great. We have been playing for a very long time right 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," said Suryakumar on the eve of their match against England at Eden Gardens.
"We have been good friends on and off the field. When we go back to franchise cricket, it (captaincy) shifts to him so I can relax a little bit. We know what we want going forward with the team,” he added.
Axar Patel has been given a proper leadership role with the Indian team for the first time in his decade-long career.
"Axar has been given that added responsibility. We saw what he did in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He has been with the team for a very long time right now,” Surya said.
With the next T20 World Cup to be staged in India in just a year, this move shows the BCCI's long-term plans. Suryakumar, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of the collective leadership group over individual positions.
"But at the same time, Hardik is also a part of the leading 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. It's like we have a lot of captains on the ground," said Suryakumar.
Suryakumar made it plain that there is no doubt in the wicket-keeping position, which is now held by Sanju Samson with Dhruv Jurel as his backup. He ruled Rishabh Pant out of the immediate plans, despite the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman becoming the most expensive player in IPL history.
"Currently, there is no question mark on the wicketkeeper. Sanju has done really well in the last 7-8, maybe 10 games he's played, and he has truly shown what he is capable of,” Surya added.
He further spoke about his camaraderie with Gambhir and remembered playing under him at Kolkata Knight Riders for four seasons.
"I've had the privilege of spending a lot of time with him. I know how he works. Without saying a word, he can read your mind. His coaching style is very simple. He gives us a lot of freedom and allows players to express themselves. He keeps everything straightforward and understands what's going on in the minds of the players.
He ensures a light, relaxed atmosphere in the dressing room, which helps players perform at their best. We're definitely moving in the right direction," said the skipper.
On T20 World Cup plans, he said: "There's still a long way to go before the World Cup. I don't want to think about that directly. It's about making a team. Which player can do well in which position? "Which bowler can win a match on a given day single-handedly. So, all those things. It's about playing the same group, most amount of games."
(PTI inputs)