In an exclusive interview with India Today, former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris shared his insights on the recent leadership changes within the Indian T20I cricket team. Styris believes that the appointment of Suryakumar Yadav as captain is a temporary measure, allowing the young Shubman Gill to develop his leadership skills as vice-captain.
Suryakumar Yadav was handed the T20I captaincy ahead of Hardik Pandya following India’s T20 World Cup win. This decision, made under the new head coach Gautam Gambhir, marks a significant shift in the team’s leadership structure. Styris, discussing this move, noted, “I have no issues with Shubman Gill being named as vice-captain. He captains in the IPL and manages big names, so there’s not an issue with that.”
Styris suggested that Gambhir’s choice indicates a lack of a natural leader in the current T20I squad. “Maybe Gambhir just doesn’t see a natural leader at the moment, which is why he’s gone for Suryakumar as almost a bridge or temporary captain for a year or two. And then maybe Gill steps in in that role in a couple of years’ time,” he explained.
Highlighting the need for consistency in Gill’s performance across all formats, Styris added, “Shubman Gill has a lot of growth yet to do in his own game. We’ve seen high-quality performances, but it’s now about consistency across those three formats. So it’s almost like letting him learn how to be a captain while focusing on his cricket.”
Styris praised the decision to make Suryakumar captain, calling it a clever move. “It gives the team management time to find the next long-term skipper, whether it is Gill or someone else. If Suryakumar does a decent job, he might lead the team at the next T20 World Cup, after which the role can be reassessed.”
Suryakumar’s captaincy debut is set for July 27, when India faces Sri Lanka in the first T20I. This series will be a crucial period for both Suryakumar and Gill as they navigate their new roles under Gambhir’s guidance.
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