India head coach Gautam Gambhir has strongly backed Suryakumar Yadav as the ideal captain for India in T20 internationals, praising his calm leadership and people-management skills during the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Gambhir said Suryakumar’s composed presence has played a key role in India’s recent success in the shortest format.

India’s opening match of the tournament against the USA tested that leadership early. After a top-order collapse left the team under pressure, Suryakumar stepped up with a captain’s knock of 84 off 49 balls, anchoring the innings and guiding India to a competitive total of 161/9. The USA fought hard in the chase but were restricted to 132/8, handing India a 29-run victory.

In a video shared by Star Sports, Gambhir highlighted that Suryakumar’s biggest strength lies beyond his batting ability. He said the skipper’s relaxed attitude on the field, the way he communicates with players, and his ability to build strong relationships have helped maintain a calm dressing-room environment throughout the tournament.

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Gambhir added that having a leader like Suryakumar allows the coaching staff to focus on broader strategic aspects, knowing the captain will handle pressure situations effectively. According to him, Suryakumar consistently makes the right decisions when the game is on the line, which is a crucial trait in high-stakes T20 cricket.

Suryakumar Yadav, now 35, was part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad two years ago and took over the T20I captaincy following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format. India will look to carry the momentum forward when they face Namibia in their next World Cup fixture on Thursday.

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