Suryakumar Yadav discusses his bond with Hardik Pandya following Ajit Agarkar appointing Axar Patel as India's vice-captain

After the magnificent victory in the T20 World Cup in 2024, there was a widespread anticipation among fans and pundits that Hardik Pandya would be entrusted with the responsibility to lead the Indian cricket team in the shortest format. This conjecture stemmed from the fact that Pandya consistently stepped up to the plate in the absence of Rohit Sharma, impressing everyone with his performances prior to the tournament.

However, after Rohit Sharma's T20I retirement, Suryakumar Yadav was named India's skipper and Hardik Pandya was not even given the vice-captain role.

Even in the ODI setup, Shubman Gill has been named the vice-captain. However, Suryakumar Yadav has cleared the air regarding his relationship with Mumbai Indians teammate Hardik.

“The relationship with him (Hardik Pandya) has been really great. We've been playing together for a really long time. I still remember that from 2018, when I went back to Mumbai Indians and it's the same till today," Suryakumar Yadav told reporters ahead of the first T20I in Kolkata.

"It's just the added responsibility that I've got here. When we go back to franchise cricket, I can get to be quiet and relax for a little bit," he added.

‘Good friends on the field’

Suryakumar Yadav said he and Hardik Pandya are good friends on the field. And the all-rounder remains a crucial figure in the leadership group.

“But we've been good friends on the field, and we know what we want going forward with the India team. Axar has been given that added responsibility. We saw what he did in the 2024 T20 World Cup, he's been with the team for a very long time,” said Suryakumar Yadav.

"At the same time, Hardik is also part of the leading group. When we sit, we decide what we want to do with the team going forward and even on the field, he is always around. We have a lot of captains on the ground," he added.

Suryakumar Yadav also said he shares a great working relationship with head coach Gautam Gambhir. He believes that the side is moving in the "right direction" under Gambhir in the shortest format.

"I've played under Gambhir for four years, so I know how he works. Even without speaking to him, we know what we need to do. He wasn't there on the tour of South Africa since he was preparing with the Test team, but we are moving in the right direction with him," said Suryakumar Yadav.

"He gives freedom, he allows players to express. He keeps things simple, he knows what is going inside a player's head. He keeps things light and maintains a good atmosphere," he added.

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