Rohit Sharma hailed as ultimate role model by Suryakumar Yadav ahead of India's Asia Cup 2025 opener

India National Cricket Team T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav has hailed the modern-day great Rohit Sharma as the ultimate role model.

Suryakumar Yadav said that Rohit Sharma has inspired him, and he has learnt a lot from the ODI captain after playing under him for 7-8 years.

Lot of nerves, good responsibility obviously - Suryakumar Yadav on leading India in Asia Cup

The India National Cricket Team will play their first match of the Asia Cup 2025 against the UAE National Cricket Team on Wednesday, September 10, at the Dubai International Stadium.

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Suryakumar Yadav will be leading India in a major tournament for the first time after taking over the leadership from Rohit Sharma last year.

Ahead of India's Asia Cup opener, Suryakumar Yadav was interviewed by Sony Sports Network and asked to describe his team in three words, to which he replied, "Entertainment, entertainment, entertainment."

When asked about leading India in a mega event for the first time, he said that his job will be made easier by the presence of an amazing group. Suryakumar Yadav said:

"Lot of nerves, good responsibility obviously, but with such an amazing group around, with so much talent, I think it's going to be a good fun."

He's been a role model as a leader for India - Suryakumar Yadav on Rohit Sharma

The India T20I skipper further said that Rohit Sharma has been the biggest influence in shaping the way he captains the team. Suryakumar said:

"See, I've played with Rohit Bhai for about 8 years or 7-8 years in franchise cricket and when he led for India in this format, I was there for about 3-4 years.

"So, I've been learning some tricks and tricks from him and obviously, he's been a role model as a leader for India, so yeah, learned a lot from him."

During the same interaction, Suryakumar Yadav was asked about his captaincy style, and he replied that he is very instinctive on the field and tries to create a calm environment around him. He said:

"Sky's style is very instinctive on the field and always have a nice wide smile on the face, irrespective of what happens, if you're having a good time or things are not going your way, just relax, have a smile and enjoy."

When we take the field, the aggression and everything remains the same - Suryakumar Yadav on Pakistan clash

India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 on September 14 at the Dubai International Stadium. Talking about the high-octane clash, he said:

"I know there's a lot of things going around between the two teams and nations, but when we take the field, the aggression and everything remains the same."

In the end, Suryakumar Yadav said that he wants his team to stay together irrespective of the results. He asserted:

"It's not only throughout the Asia Cup, I mean even going forward, I want them to be together irrespective of what happens. Sometimes what happens when we win, we are on top of the moon and we don't win the game, we want to sit back, relax, have their own time, but irrespective of what happens, however the ship is sailing, stick together."

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