IND v SL 2023: “How many options did you have,” Gambhir not reading too much into Suryakumar being named T20I vice-captain

Suryakumar Yadav is set to play the role of Hardik Pandya's deputy in the T20I series vs Sri Lanka.

A fresh Indian squad, led by Hardik Pandya, will take the field for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka at home, starting January 3 in Mumbai.

For the series, star batter Suryakumar Yadav is set to play the role of a deputy as the squad doesn’t feature big names such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.

On the eve of the opening T20I, former cricketer Gautam Gambhir said there isn't much to read into Suryakumar being named as the vice-captain, stating that there weren't many options in the young squad for the spot.

"I don't think we need to look into it that much because we have to wait and watch once Rohit comes into the T20 squad whether they are going to still continue with Hardik as the captain and Surya as the vice-captain. We will have to wait and watch because how many options did you have with this young squad?" said Gambhir while speaking on Star Sports' show Follow the Blues.

The former opener expects Surya to break into India’s ODI and Test team as well after his impressive exploits in T20I cricket.

"I think Surya is one guy who has shown that you can actually be a T20 format player and from T20 you can go on to play one-day cricket and then probably be in the reckoning for the Test matches as well."

Hailing him as a product of the IPL, Gambhir is pleased to see Suryakumar Yadav grabbing his opportunities with both hands.

"He is actually a product of the IPL. His IPL numbers are incredible if you compare them to his numbers in first-class cricket. But it's always good when people like Suryakumar Yadav, who has gone through the grind in first-class cricket, have grabbed whatever opportunities they have got with both hands," he remarked.

Gambhir said Surya would do a good job as the vice-captain and also urged the team management to not tweak the leadership core.

"Now he has been trusted with leadership and being the vice-captain of the country is always a great honor. So I am sure he is going to do a good job. Even if Rohit Sharma comes in and the selectors feel that Hardik is the right guy and Surya is the vice-captain, you can't keep chopping and changing. If this is your leadership core, so be it," he stated.