New Delhi

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has credited Suryakumar Yadav’s composed leadership for making his demanding role easier in the T20 format, describing the skipper as a captain who brings stability and calm to the dressing room.

Speaking in a short video shared by broadcaster Star Sports, Gambhir said India is fortunate to have Suryakumar leading the side during the ongoing T20 World Cup, praising his ability to manage players and pressure situations effectively.

“Surya has certainly made my job much easier in this format. His leadership goes beyond performances or batting prowess,” Gambhir said. “It is about how he connects with players, communicates with them and creates a relaxed atmosphere on the field.”

The former India opener said Suryakumar’s calm demeanour allows the coaching staff to focus on broader aspects of the game, confident that the team environment remains steady even in tense moments.

“As a coach, there are many things you think about, but knowing that the captain is keeping things calm is invaluable. That is something every coach hopes for,” Gambhir added.

India began their T20 World Cup campaign with a win over the United States on Saturday, with Suryakumar playing a key role in the victory. His 84 off 49 balls helped India recover from an early top-order collapse against a spirited USA side. India are scheduled to face Namibia in their next group match on Thursday.

Gambhir said while Suryakumar’s credentials as a batter are well known, it is his leadership qualities that stand out the most.

“For me, Surya the batter can be set aside. Surya the leader has ticked every box. He has the right intent, makes sound decisions under pressure and leads with the team’s interest at heart,” he said.

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Suryakumar, 35, was part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad two years ago. He was appointed captain of the national T20 side following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format shortly after that triumph.