Suryakumar Yadav, before becoming the star he became at the Mumbai Indians in 2018 in the Indian Premier League, had a stint at the Kolkata Knight Riders from 2014-17. Unlike the top-order version we are witnessing now, under captain Gautam Gambhir, he played the role of the finisher then, while a lot of things have changed both in Surya and Gambhir’s career paths, the duo reunited this time as captain-coach combination last year, post 2024 T20 World Cup. The 35-year-old speaking on Express Adda said his relationship with Gambhir has been similar to that of an elder and a younger brother.
“Our relationship is that of elder and younger brothers. I played for four years under him at KKR. Learnt a lot from him there. Even now, life has come full circle. He is the coach and I am the captain of the T20 team,” said Surya in conversation with Anant Goenka, Executive Director of The Indian Express Group, and Devendra Pandey, Deputy Associate Editor.
“So when we discuss squads, a lot of the time, it happens that he picks an eleven, and I pick an eleven; there are absolutely no differences. On the ground also if I want to make a decision, I look at the dugout. You see things differently from outside, and he just moves his head a bit, and I get the message. That is the trust we have between us. Touchwood, it’s going really well,” he added.
In addition to the relationship with Gambhir, Surya also answered a few quick questions.
One thing Gambhir has learnt from him:
“I’ll have to ask him, but I don’t think there is anything.”
One thing he learnt from Gambhir:
“Being fearless on the ground and listening to everyone on the field when they want to do something. Because he did it when he was captain.”
Last time you disagreed with Gambhir:
“Let me think about the Asia Cup, did I disagree…? I didn’t. Everything was going so well, why should I disagree?”
Story continues below this ad
When you had a difference of opinion with Gambhir:
“Maybe when he was captain of KKR, but not anymore.”
