Aakash Chopra doesn’t visualize Suryakumar Yadav as the extended term T20I captain for India. He likewise doesn’t anticipate him to be the skipper for the Men in Blue in next year’s T20 World Cup.
Suryakumar, leading India, finished a 4-1 series triumph over Australia with a six-run win in the last T20I in Bengaluru, Sunday. Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya will miss the upcoming T20I series against South Africa. The unique hitter will steer the guests in the briefest format.
Chopra was asked about Suryakumar’s leadership when reviewing the Australia series on JioCinema, and he responded:
“I am just looking ahead. Suryakumar Yadav is currently the Indian team’s captain in T20Is, but is he in your list of captains? He is probably the third captaincy choice even for the Mumbai Indians currently. Things have changed. He was the second choice until last year.”
Aakash Chopra
Suryakumar is viewed as a stopgap option by the former India opener. He went on to say:
“He might have become the third choice of his franchise. He will be the Indian captain in South Africa for sure, will captain whenever Rohit doesn’t play and might be the captain against Afghanistan, but World Cup 2024, I don’t see Surya as a captain.”
Aakash Chopra
Suryakumar is unlikely to captain India in the T20 World Cup next year. If he wants to continue playing the format, Rohit Sharma will most likely be the skipper. If the seasoned opener is unable to play, Hardik is likely to be named captain if he is healthy and available.
Aakash Chopra Questions Suryakumar Yadav’s Decision to Not Use a Sixth Bowler
Reflecting on Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership, Aakash Chopra suggested that the unwillingness to utilize a sixth bowler was a collaborative decision by the whole think-tank. He stated:
“You are not using a sixth bowler, it can’t be his choice only. VVS Laxman and Sairaj Bahutule would also have had their inputs there, that they don’t want a sixth bowler to bowl. Even Rahul Dravid might be coordinating over the phone.”
Aakash Chopra
Suryakumar was commended by the acclaimed pundit for his efficient use of spinners. He elaborated:
“He used the resources well despite not using a sixth bowler. Spin had an extremely important role. The make or break in the series was the eight, eight overs of spin over five games. The 40 overs of spin won you the series. It’s a difficult job to figure out when to bowl 40 overs of spin.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra pointed out that, while Suryakumar is not a child, he is a young captain. While admitting that the 33-year-old made a mistake in handing Axar Patel the 19th over in the third T20I, he noted that everyone makes errors that can be utilized as learning lessons.