IND vs SL: Suryakumar Yadav Wants to be a Leader as Riyan Parag Opens up on Love For Bowling

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India captain Suryakumar Yadav wants to classify himself as a leader and not as a captain after leading the team to an impressive 44-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Pallekele International Stadium in Pallekele on Saturday (July 27).

In the start of a new era under head coach Gautam Gambhir, Surykumar 's captaincy skills were put to the test when Sri Lanka raced to a fast start in their run-chase of 214.

With the Indian team possessing just five specialist bowling options, it looked to be tricky, but the skipper ringed in the changes at crucial moments to turn the game in his team's favour.

In the ninth over, Yadav broght Arshdeep Singh back into the attack, hoping to put an end to opening stand, and the young left-armer delivered, removing Mendis to end the opening partnership at 84.

Despite the dismissal, Sri Lanka continued their aggressive approach, but the hosts' charge ended after the Indian skipper re-introduced Axar Patel, who weaved his magic to remove Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka in the 15th over.

With the pitch offering turn, Suryakumar turned to a all-rounder Riyan Parag in the 17th over as Ravi Bishnoi's quota of four overs ended in 16th with another wicket. The youngster, who bowls leg-spin, struck in his very first over and ended the night with two more wickets.

Suryakumar's captaincy skills were recognised and praised by former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan. But, the skipper revealed he wants to be more than a captain of the India T20I team.

"I... I don't want to be a captain; I want to be a leader. That's it. It felt good to see such good support here and in this country," Suryakumar said in a video posted by BCCI on X.

One of the key highlights of the game was Suryakumar handing the ball to Parag. The youngster who failed to deliver with the bat chipped in with the ball.

He made good use of the spinning track, picked up the spots for his delivery and bagged a three-wicket haul while giving away just five runs in his 1.2 overs. The 33-year-old shed light on what led to him handing the ball to Parag at the crucial juncture of the game.

"This Riyan Parag can be special because I have seen him bowl in the IPL as well as in the nets. And I also said on the PC that he has an X-factor," Suryakumar added.

Parag castled Kamindu Mendis in his first over, and then cleaned up Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka in back to back deliveries. Following that cameo with the ball, the youngster opened up about his "love" for bowling.

"I love bowling. I bowl as much as I can behind the scenes," Parag said before revealing that he had a conversation with head coach Gambhir about the areas in which he had to target.

"I think there was a lot of communication going on in the nets about where to bowl and how to bowl. And for these stages, there was actual preparation. It was done with Gautam sir as well. If you bowl on the 16th or 17th over, if the wicket is offering spin, where do you bowl," Parag added.

After taking a 1-0 lead in the series with the 44-run victory in the first T20I, India will aim to seal the series in the second T20I on Sunday (July 28) at the same venue in Pallekele.