Suryakumar Yadav: T20I Captain vs Australia
In a significant shift in leadership, Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as the captain of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia. This series, commencing on November 23, 2023, in Visakhapatnam, marks a new era for Indian cricket, with Yadav at the helm.
Heartbroken💔
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) November 20, 2023
This will take some time to sink in.
Together in win, and in loss. Nothing will take away what this team means to all of us ♥️
We felt your immense love, support and energy everytime we stepped on the field. THANK YOU🇮🇳
Congratulations to the Australian side 👏 pic.twitter.com/CxbfCtbpcG
Leading Mumbai in 36 Matches
Yadav‘s appointment comes in the wake of Hardik Pandya‘s absence due to an ankle injury. Known for his dynamic batting and agile fielding, Yadav’s leadership skills will now be under the spotlight. He has previously demonstrated his captaincy prowess in domestic cricket, leading Mumbai in 36 matches across formats. His stint as a captain for Mumbai Indians in the IPL earlier this year further solidified his credentials as a leader.
Vice-Captain for 5 Matches against Australia
The squad for the series against Australia presents a blend of experience and fresh talent. Ruturaj Gaikwad, named as the vice-captain for the first three games, will pass on the baton to Shreyas Iyer for the last two matches. The team also welcomes back Axar Patel, who missed the World Cup due to a quadriceps strain.
India’s Squad for Australia T20Is
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar. Shreyas Iyer joins as Vice-Captain for the last two T20Is.
Stage for the T20 World Cup in 6 Monthes
The series is crucial as it sets the stage for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA, roughly six months away. It offers a platform for players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, and Rinku Singh to showcase their skills and cement their place in the team. The bowling department, featuring Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, and Ravi Bishnoi, promises a mix of youth and experience.
VVS Laxman, who coached the Indian men’s team to a gold medal at the Asian Games, will oversee the team for these T20Is. The matches will be played across various venues, including Visakhapatnam, Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, Raipur, and Bengaluru.
BCCI’s strategy
India’s squad for the series is a testament to the BCCI’s strategy of integrating young talent into the national team, keeping an eye on the future, especially with the 2024 T20 World Cup on the horizon.
India’s Squad for Australia T20Is
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar. Shreyas Iyer joins as Vice-Captain for the last two T20Is.
