Suryakumar Yadav is a bowlers’ captain, says Axar Patel

Axar Patel praises Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy style, emphasizing the importance of maximizing batting combinations in T20I series.

India all-rounder Axar Patel says new T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav is a bowlers' captain, who allows them the freedom to execute their plans. The spin all-rounder also said that the team will look to maximise its batting combinations in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka.

Suryakumar and India made a winning start to the three-match series in Pallekele on July 28 when they crushed hosts Sri Lanka by 43 runs in a high scoring opening T20I.

"I played in the last Australia series with Surya bhai (as captain). I know that he is a bowlers' captain. He gives you free hand (in a way) that you decide first," Axar said at the post-match press conference on July 27. "Whenever you get hit, he comes and says that it was a good ball. He keeps giving you inputs. As a player, there is a good bond with him."

Axar recalled the experience of playing under Suryakumar in the five-match T20I series against Australia in India late last year which the hosts won 4-1. “As a captain, I have also played with him in the last five matches (against Australia) and when I was playing today, I didn’t feel much change,” he said.

"In the first three overs when we were going for runs, he was telling me that we can do this or do that and how we can take a wicket. There is no problem if a four or six goes in it. As a bowler, you get confidence from that if the captain is backing you and telling you that you can do this."

Axar said India’s batting line-up in the opening T20I which did not feature Rishabh Pant at the top was formulated with the idea that the team maximises its left and right-hand options.

In the last assignment, the T20 World Cup which India won, Pant batted at No 3 whereas on July 27 skipper Suryakumar came out at the coveted spot and the wicketkeeper-batter dropped down to No 4. “Our team has four lefties and four righties. If there is a left-right combination (in the middle), it becomes very hard for the bowlers to maintain the line and lengths consistently especially with rotations with singles.”