In a recent and candid revelation, former India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav opened up about his journey, leadership styles, and the captains who have influenced him the most. While Suryakumar has shared dressing rooms with some of the greatest minds in modern cricket, his ultimate pick for the finest leader he has played under might surprise a few—and it is not Virat Kohli.

During an insightful appearance on Aakash Chopra’s popular YouTube show, Baith & Bol, the explosive batter explicitly crowned Mumbai superstar as the best captain of his career, shedding light on the unique leadership traits that set the veteran opener apart.

Suryakumar Yadave reveals the best captain he has played under

Suryakumar did not hold back his praise for the former skipper Rohit Sharma, terming his leadership as the best he has played under. Surya emphasized that Rohit’s management style left a lasting impression on his own approach to the game. According to Suryakumar, Rohit had a natural understanding of how to communicate with each member of the team. Whether dealing with an experienced campaigner or a player making his first steps at the international level, Rohit made sure his teammates felt trusted.

“Rohit Sharma was the best captain I have played under, I learned a lot from him how to talk to players & how to back everyone,” Suryakumar said during his conversation with Chopra.

That approach was particularly valuable for Suryakumar, who developed into one of India’s most dangerous T20 batters during Rohit’s tenure. The 35-year-old has also taken lessons from Rohit’s leadership into his own captaincy journey.

Indian veteran’s calmness stood out in 2024 T20 World Cup final

Suryakumar also recalled Rohit’s temperament during the dramatic 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa. With the match moving towards a tense finish, India faced enormous pressure, but Rohit’s composure remained intact. Rather than allowing the situation to overwhelm the team, Rohit maintained a relaxed presence on the field. His body language helped reassure the players around him, while he continued to show confidence in his bowlers and fielders.

That calmness, according to Suryakumar, was one of the defining features of Rohit’s captaincy. His ability to keep emotions under control when the stakes were at their highest gave the rest of the team the freedom to focus on executing their roles.

Also READ: Suryakumar Yadav opens up on key conversation with Sanju Samson during T20 World Cup

Suryakumar focused on making an international comeback

Suryakumar’s comments come at an important stage of his career. After a difficult period with the bat, he lost his place in India’s T20I setup and was also replaced as the team’s captain, with Shreyas Iyer taking over the leadership role.

Despite the setback, Suryakumar remains determined to return to the national side. He has reportedly been working hard on his fitness and batting while preparing for domestic cricket with Mumbai.

His immediate objective is to make an impact in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and put himself back in contention through consistent performances. For a player who has built his reputation on confidence and attacking strokeplay, a strong domestic campaign could provide the platform needed for another international opportunity.

Also READ: Suryakumar Yadav opens up on India comeback after being dropped from T20I squad