Sunil Gavaskar Evaluates Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I Captaincy And MS Dhoni Comparison
Gavaskar compares Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership with MS Dhoni’s T20I legacy.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership legacy, drawing comparisons with MS Dhoni while assessing the batter’s stint as India’s T20I skipper. Gavaskar highlighted Suryakumar’s calm temperament and composed decision-making, suggesting that his captaincy style bore resemblance to India’s most successful white-ball leader.
Suryakumar Yadav was recently relieved of the Indian T20I captaincy ahead of the series against England and Ireland, with Shreyas Iyer named as his replacement. Despite India winning both the T20 World Cup 2026 and the Asia Cup under his leadership, the star batter’s prolonged dip in form reportedly contributed to the change in leadership.
Speaking in an interview with India Today, Gavaskar said Suryakumar’s biggest strength as captain was his composure on the field. He noted that the 34-year-old consistently maintained a positive demeanor, acknowledging good performances from opposition players and avoiding visible frustration during difficult phases of matches.
Also Read: Sooryavanshi's Respectful Gesture to Gavaskar Wins Cricket Hearts
Gavaskar went on to compare Suryakumar’s approach to that of MS Dhoni, stating that both captains shared a similar ability to remain calm under pressure. According to him, Suryakumar did not appear to get overly disturbed when situations did not go in India’s favour, a trait that he suggested would be a key part of his leadership legacy. He also credited Suryakumar for his tactical awareness, particularly in terms of bowling changes and flexible batting-order decisions.
Gavaskar said such “smart moves” reflected a thoughtful understanding of the game and contributed significantly to India’s success in major tournaments during his tenure. Meanwhile, selection decisions for upcoming tours have also drawn attention, with senior players Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya left out of certain T20I squads as part of workload management ahead of a packed international calendar.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar indicated that the focus is on preserving key players for major Test and ODI assignments, including upcoming ICC events and the World Test Championship cycle. The discussion around leadership changes and squad rotation highlights India’s broader strategy of balancing performance with long-term player management, as the team enters a crucial phase across formats.
Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar Criticises Media Interaction Style After Rishabh Pant’s On-Field Mistake
