Suryakumar Yadav Backs Rohit Sharma's Leadership Ahead of Champions Trophy Final, Terms India Skipper As 'Honest and Clean-Hearted Man'

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New Delhi, Mar 8: India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has heaped praise on Rohit Sharma, calling him the most "honest and clean-hearted man" who has always prioritised the growth of his teammates.

As India gears up to face New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday (March 9), Suryakumar expressed full confidence in Rohit's ability to lead the team to victory.

"He (Rohit) is very natural and instinctive. Whatever he does, he keeps others in front and watches them grow. He is an easily approachable man. He always raises his hand and says, 'I will do this for you.' He is very natural on and off the field, clean-hearted, and very honest," Suryakumar said at the 'India Today Conclave'.

A Calm Dressing Room, A Confident Team

Suryakumar highlighted the importance of a relaxed team environment in achieving success. "The camaraderie and trust among the players are evident on the ground. Most importantly, the dugout is relaxed, and when that happens, you know something right is going on inside the dressing room," he added.

He also reiterated his belief that India would retain the Champions Trophy. "India is winning the final tomorrow, it's simple. The team has been playing an amazing brand of cricket over the last two years, and they should just be themselves," he stated confidently.

Backing Fearless Cricket

Suryakumar, known for his aggressive approach in T20 cricket, emphasized the importance of playing fearless cricket. "In a match, if two batters score 75 each, and two or three others contribute with 12-ball 30s, we can post a big total. We have to be fearless. Either we win or we learn," he said.

The Catch That Changed Everything

Reflecting on his stunning catch to dismiss David Miller in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, Suryakumar admitted that he watches the footage almost daily.

"I watch it every hour, whenever I get an opportunity to use the phone. I am very grateful that I could do something special for my country that day. It was a crucial moment, but getting to that point involved a lot of hard work from Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya. Their efforts brought us back into the game, and then the opportunity came my way," he recalled.

Waiting for a Special Tattoo

Suryakumar, who is known for his love of tattoos, revealed that he had considered getting one to commemorate India's 2024 T20 World Cup win. However, his wife advised him to wait until he does something special in the next edition in 2026.

"There is no increase in tattoos now because I am happily married, and my wife is not allowing me to get any more. She told me, 'There is another World Cup coming. Do something special and then get a tattoo,'" he laughed.

On Gautam Gambhir's Influence

Discussing his relationship with India's head coach Gautam Gambhir, Suryakumar shared that he has learned valuable leadership lessons from him. "When I was with KKR, he always spoke to me about leadership, how to conduct myself on and off the field, and how to be a better captain. He is a very smart man," he said.

He also dismissed the perception that Gambhir is a tough character, stating, "He is a normal guy. Off the field, he doesn't say anything, doesn't utter a word, and doesn't react much. He is a good man."

Mumbai Indians Eyeing a Special Season

Looking ahead to IPL 2025, Suryakumar is optimistic about Mumbai Indians' chances after a disappointing previous season. "It's an odd year (2025), emotions are high, and half of the boys have already reached for training. I feel it will be a special year," he said.

Interestingly, Mumbai Indians have won four IPL titles in odd years-2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019-adding to the anticipation of another successful campaign.

(With Inputs from PTI)