The BCCI selection committee on Tuesday (December 27) announced Team India’s squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka at home.

The squad doesn’t include India’s regular white-ball skipper Rohit Sharma, his predecessor Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya has been named the captain of the T20I team with star batter Suryakumar Yadav set to play the role of a deputy.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Suryakumar shared his immediate feelings on being appointed vice-captain of the T20I side. He also revealed that he got to know about his new designation from his father.

“I wasn’t expecting but the way last year had gone, I can only say that it’s like a reward to me. It feels great and I am really looking forward to it,” Yadav said on the sidelines of Mumbai’s Ranji game against Saurashtra.

“My father forwarded me the team, he is always on social media and keeps forwarding me things. I spoke to him once I saw the message. In that text, he had a small message for me: not to take pressure and enjoy batting.”

“I closed my eyes and thought,” Is this a dream?” but it felt really nice. It still feels like a dream but it’s the hard work of the past so many years. It was like a seed planted years ago and now the tree has grown up. Now I’m eating the fruits of it. I will try to stretch it as long as I can,” he added.

When asked whether the vice-captaincy will also bring additional responsibility, Yadav replied: “Responsibility were always there ever since I was playing for India and the number at which I play. But at the same time, I only enjoy my game and don’t carry any baggage with me. I think about the game only in the hotel or at the nets but once I enter the field, I look to enjoy and express myself.”

Talking about his rapport with Hardik Pandya, Surya said: “The bond with him (Hardik) has always been good. Be it for Mumbai Indians or India. We bat in the same order, we compliment each other. He has been a fantastic leader and everyone has seen it in IPL and India and I really enjoy playing under his captaincy.”

Having made his international debut last year, Suryakumar Yadav has established himself as one of India’s leading batters in white-ball cricket.

In 42 T20Is, the dashing right-hander has amassed 1408 runs at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 180.97, including two hundreds and 12 half-centuries. He has also made a mark in ODIs, scoring 384 runs from 16 matches at an average of 32 and a strike rate of 100.52 with two fifties.

(The Indian Express Inputs)