Follow UsWith plenty of talks over the omission of Sanju Samson in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, captain Suryakumar Yadav says there is no question over his position in the T20 International (T20I) side. Samson has hit three centuries in his last five T20I innings, including an unbeaten 109 in his last knock against South Africa in Johannesburg.
"We all want to be very flexible with the batting order. Other than the openers, I think from 3 to 8 or 3 to 7, everyone needs to be really flexible with their batting order.," Suryakumar said ahead of the first T20I against England, echoing Axar Patel's thoughts.
"Anyone can go at any time. We have been practicing also for that. If I have to go at number 3 or Tilak has to go at number 3, it will be changing with the games.
"Currently, there is no question mark on the wicketkeeper. Sanju has done really well in the last 7-8 games, 10 games that he has played. And he has really shown what he is capable of. And that's what we want from all the players in the side.
"Not only the wicketkeeper, all the 6-7 batters need to have good intent, keeping the team first and moving forward in the right direction. And also, he has got that opportunity and he has really made use of it. I am really happy for him."
Axar has been appointed as the T20I vice-captain, ahead of Hardik Pandya, who Surya says is very much part of the leadership set-up.
"The relationship with him has been really great. We have been playing for a very long time now. I still remember 2018 when I went back to Mumbai Indians. And till today, it's just the added responsibility which I have got," Surya recalls.
"And when we go back to franchise cricket, it shifts so that I can relax a little bit. But yeah, we have been good friends on the field. We know what we want going forward with the team.
"And Axar has been given that added responsibility. We saw what he did in the 2024 World Cup. He has been with the team for a very long time right now.
"But at the same time, Hardik is also a part of the leadership group. When we sit, we decide what we want to do in the game going forward and also on the field. He is always around. So, it's like we have a lot of captains on the ground."
This will be Gautam Gambhir's third T20I series as head coach. He took charge during the Sri Lanka series but missed the tour of South Afric to help the Test side prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, Surya says he is well-versed with Gambhir's methods.
"I've played under Gauti bhai for four years. I've spent a lot of time with him. I know how he works. He also knows that - even without talking so many times, he knows what to say to each other. And his journey started with the Sri Lanka series. He was there with Bangladesh. He wasn't in South Africa because he went for Test preparations. But he gave a start. I like his coaching style. And we are moving in the right direction.
"He gives a lot of freedom and he lets the players express themselves. And he keeps it very simple. He knows what goes on in the minds of the players. And he keeps it very light. A very relaxed atmosphere in the dressing room," said Suryakumar.
India and England will play a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series after the T20Is, which will act as a preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, starting February 19.