Axar Patel reveals the real reason why Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed T20 captain

Indian all-rounder Axar Patel shed light on the appointment of Suryakumar Yadav as the new captain of the Indian T20I team, with Shubman Gill named as his deputy. This significant decision comes on the heels of a selection meeting between India's new head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, during which Hardik Pandya, the vice-captain during the T20 World Cup 2024, was notably overlooked as the successor to Rohit Sharma.

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Axar Patel on why SKY has been named India's T20 captain

In a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, Axar Patel, who has shared substantial time on and off the field with Suryakumar, provided insights into what makes Suryakumar Yadav a fitting choice for the leadership role. 

"I have spent a lot of time with Suryakumar. Surya bhai is a happy-go-lucky guy. He keeps the atmosphere lively, loves doing mimicry and such fun stuff. I know he will keep the atmosphere cool," Axar remarked, emphasizing Suryakumar's ability to maintain a relaxed and positive environment within the team.

Axar Patel also highlighted Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy style, describing him as a "bowler's captain" who is attentive to the needs and suggestions of his bowlers. 

"I recently played a five-game T20I series when he was the captain. I know he is a bowler's captain. He gives the bowlers the fields they ask for. And it was like that with me, too," Axar Patel explained. 

While Axar Patel acknowledged that Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy cannot be fully judged based on a single tour, he expressed optimism about learning more about his leadership style as they play under his guidance. "You can't judge someone's captaincy by one tour. When we play more, we will get to know more of his captaincy style," he added.

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The decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as captain marks a new chapter for the Indian T20I team. With his charismatic personality and player-friendly approach, Suryakumar is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the team's dynamics and lead the side into the next edition of the T20 World Cup.