Former Indian National Cricket Team All-around Irfan Patan shares his opinion on the talk that skipper Suryakumal Yadav is worried and uneasy about his return to the T20I setup.
Irfan Pathan said Suryakumar Yadav was under no pressure as it was made with the consent of the skipper to appointed Shubman Gill as T20I vice captain.
Shubman Gill line up to replace Suryakumar Yadav as the T20I captain
Shubman Gill has officially returned to the Indian T20I team at Asia Cup 2025.
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According to multiple reports, Suryakumar’s spot as India’s T20I captain is under threat in Gill’s comeback, and he could be fired earlier than later.
BCCI is keen on Gilloom Gill as the next T20I captain, as Suryakumar Yadav will soon turn 35, and the test captain was identified as the most eligible candidate for the job after a long discussion.
The board also sent a clear message to Suryakumalyadav with the appointment of Gill that the game needs to be strengthened as he last won the T20I 50 in October 2024.
This also means that Surya knows the bigger picture – Irfan Patan
Speaking about the situation at Suryakumar Yadav-Shubman Gill, Irfan Pathan said the current Indian T20I captain knows what is going on within the setup.
“Shubman was the vice captain and then he got busy starting Test cricket. The decision to appoint Shubman Gill as vice captain would not have happened without Surya’s consent. His approval was definitely there.
“This also means Surya knows the bigger picture. As far as I know him, he is 34 years old and I understand that his responsibility is not just to perform on the field.
I don’t think he has any concerns in his mind – Irfan Patan
Irfan Pathan further stated that Suryakumar Yadav is a mature leader and understands how Gill’s T20I comeback benefits India, so that all sorts of anxiety will not creep into his mind.
“Take Shubman Gill as vice captain, you might think it puts pressure on Surya, but it is actually a move that will benefit India’s cricket in the long term, and it also shows Surya’s maturity as a leader and has earned him respect in the cricket community.
“I really believe he knows the situation very well. What’s going on now shouldn’t put pressure on him. We’ve all seen what kind of cricketer he is, so I don’t think there’s any anxiety in his mind.
Also read: ‘Cheteshwar Pujara Protected Virat Kohli…. Shubman Gill doesn’t want…”: A bold statement of English legend