Suryakumar Yadav: ‘Fear’ of Losing T20I Captaincy to Shubman Gill

India’s T20 International captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has revealed a palpable ‘fear’ of ceding his leadership position amidst the burgeoning captaincy career of Shubman Gill. Gill’s recent appointments as captain in ODIs and Tests, coupled with his role as T20I vice-captain, have placed leadership transitions under a microscope. Suryakumar has been at the helm of a formidable Indian T20 team, celebrated for its aggressive batting templates and comprehensive team balance. This squad recently triumphed in the Asia Cup 2025 under his leadership. While acknowledging his own recent batting struggles, Suryakumar’s captaincy has been effective. He candidly admitted to the apprehension caused by Gill’s rapid ascent: ‘everyone feels that fear.’ However, he reframed this as a positive motivator. ‘It is the kind of fear that keeps you motivated,’ he explained. Suryakumar also underscored the strong bond with Gill, calling their connection ‘amazing off the field and on it.’ This relationship, he believes, inspires him to perform better. With a T20I debut at 31, Suryakumar emphasized his philosophy of not being deterred by such concerns. He firmly believes that dedication and honesty in his preparation and performance are paramount, stating, ‘the rest will be taken care of.’