Axar Patel delivers bold verdict on 'captain' Suryakumar Yadav, shares views on Gautam Gambhir

Team India spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel heaped praise on newly appointed T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav ahead of the white-ball series against Sri Lanka. Axar Patel stated that Suryakumar Yadav will maintain a relaxed and lively dressing room environment with mimicry and other fun activities.

Suryakumar Yadav has been named captain of India's T20I team for the upcoming white ball series against Sri Lanka, which includes three T20Is and three ODIs. Gautam Gambhir, in his first role as head coach, appointed Yadav as captain for the T20I series, with young opening batter Shubman Gill as his deputy.

Hardik Pandya was the vice-captain of the Indian team during the recent ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA. Pandya also led the team in some T20I matches last year. However, Suryakumar Yadav is preferred as the T20 skipper in preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

Suryakumar Yadav Is A Happy-Go-Lucky Guy - Axar Patel

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Axar Patel said that Suryakumar Yadav is a "happy-go-lucky guy" who keeps the team environment lively and supportive. He also noted Suryakumar as a "bowler's captain," adding that he accepts bowlers' field requests and maintains consistency in his leadership style.

"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 said.

"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. I don't think there will be a lot of change," he added.

Can't Judge Someone's Captaincy By One Tour - Axar Patel

Axar Patel stated that it's unfair to judge Yadav's leadership style based on limited experience and that more games are needed to fully assess his captaincy.

"We will get to know now playing under his captaincy about his mindset. You can't judge someone's captaincy by one tour. When we play more, we will get to know more of his captaincy style," the all-rounder added.

We Will Exchange A Few Thoughts - Axar Patel

Axar Patel mentioned that he will discuss his role with Gautam Gambhir during the team’s tour to Sri Lanka. He said that he would get clarity on his responsibilities and Gambhir’s expectations after their meetings and discussions.

"With Gautam bhai, yes, we will go to Sri Lanka, there will be meetings, we will exchange a few thoughts and after that I will get to know exactly what my role is and what he thinks. I will get more clarity on that only after that," Patel stated.

The left-arm spinner debuted for India in 2014 but has played just 14 Tests, 57 ODIs, and 60 T20Is over the past decade. With Ravindra Jadeja retiring from T20Is, Patel now emerges as the primary spin-bowling all-rounder in T20Is. He is part of India's squad for both white-ball formats in the upcoming Sri Lanka tour.

Also read: "Won't be surprised if he..." - Dinesh Karthik drops massive statement on Gautam Gambhir-Suryakumar Yadav partnership