Pathan sees Rohit’s glimpse in Suryakumar, says he’s underrated

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has strongly backed Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership, stating that the Indian T20I captain has not received the recognition he truly deserves despite producing consistent results. After taking over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma following the 2024 T20 World Cup, Suryakumar has gradually established himself as a calm yet impactful leader, with a clear focus on defending the title at the 2026 edition.

Meanwhile, under Suryakumar’s leadership, India have adopted a fearless and attacking brand of cricket—an approach fully supported by head coach Gautam Gambhir. This shift has delivered impressive results, including series victories in Australia and South Africa, strong performances at home, and an Asia Cup triumph that reaffirmed India’s dominance in the region.

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Why Suryakumar’s captaincy goes under the radar

However, Pathan questioned why Suryakumar’s success as a leader does not attract enough attention. He pointed out that the numbers clearly highlight the skipper’s impact, yet public praise remains limited. According to Pathan, Suryakumar boasts an exceptional T20I win percentage of 84—the highest among Indian captains—but still does not receive due credit for his achievements.

Pathan noted that, for reasons unknown, Suryakumar the captain is not celebrated as much as he should be, even though his results consistently speak for themselves.

‘A bowler’s captain’ with shades of Rohit Sharma

Furthermore, Pathan drew parallels between Suryakumar and former skipper Rohit Sharma, particularly in the way he manages his bowlers. He described Suryakumar as a “bowler’s captain” who remains animated on the field, stays deeply involved in the game, and often makes timely decisions in the team’s best interest.

At the same time, Suryakumar has regained form in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, registering back-to-back half-centuries in the second and third matches. Pathan stressed that these runs are crucial for the captain’s confidence ahead of a major tournament, noting that self-belief and form often go hand in hand for a leader.

In conclusion, Pathan believes that Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership qualities, tactical awareness, and consistent success warrant far greater recognition than they currently receive.

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