NEW DELHI: India's T20I series against Australia has not only been a showcase of power-packed cricket but also a stage for Suryakumar Yadav's burgeoning leadership skills.
As the team secures a commanding 2-0 lead in the ongoing five-match series, Prasidh Krishna, the team's leading pacer, sheds light on Suryakumar's captaincy style, drawing parallels between his leadership philosophy and the batsman's uncomplicated approach to the game."It shows in the way he (Suryakumar) bats - very similar in his captaincy as well.
He trusts his players, backs all of us to do what we want to do and he's there right behind us to support us if there's anything going wrong," says Prasidh Krishna, offering insights into the dynamics under Suryakumar's captaincy.
The influence of Rohit Sharma's free-spirited captaincy style is evident, creating a culture where players are given the freedom to execute their plans.
The freedom to express oneself on the field has been a hallmark of Indian cricket under Rohit Sharma's captaincy, and Suryakumar seems to be carrying this legacy forward."That has been the name of the game and then that's the word around freedom, go and execute your plans out there and everyone trusts each other in the team," notes Prasidh Krishna, emphasising the importance of trust within the squad.Suryakumar, relatively new to the captaincy role, has quickly made an impact, guiding India to a 2-0 lead against a formidable Australian side.
His uncomplicated and supportive leadership style seems to resonate well with the younger players, creating an environment where each player feels empowered to contribute to the team's success.Reflecting on his experience in the World Cup squad, Prasidh Krishna acknowledges the learnings gained but highlights the difference between theoretical knowledge and on-field execution.
"Being a part of the squad was massive learning for me.
That's the biggest learning curve I've had since I've been a part of the team.
I got to learn a lot the way people prepare, the amount of information that you can take," says Prasidh, underlining the value of experiencing the atmosphere and preparations of a global tournament.In the second T20I against Australia, the Indian team faced the challenge of dew, a common factor in evening matches in the Indian subcontinent.
Bowling under dew can be challenging, as the ball tends to get wet, making it difficult for bowlers to grip and control it.
Prasidh Krishna acknowledges the difficulties but emphasises the team's preparation for such conditions."It was quite difficult to bowl.
We were planning to tackle dew even in Vizag but luckily we didn't have to do much there.
But here (Thiruvananthapuram) it was really wet.
Even in the eighth over when Mukesh (Kumar) was bowling, there was a lot of dew," says Prasidh, shedding light on the challenges posed by dew in the second T20I.
Despite the challenges, India's bowling unit, including spinners Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi, showcased their adaptability in tackling the dew."There was dew in the sixth, seventh and eighth over.
The way Axar came to bowl the way he did, Ravi Bishnoi picked up two wickets at crucial junctures.
They played a very important role despite dew setting in," commends Prasidh, highlighting the collective effort of the bowling unit.Adaptability is a key trait in cricket, especially in the ever-evolving T20 format.
The ability to adjust to different conditions, be it dew or challenging pitches, sets successful teams apart.
Prasidh Krishna's insights into India's preparation for dew conditions reflect the team's proactive approach to challenges.India vs Australia, 2nd T20I: Australia lose two quick wickets chasing 236(With inputs from PTI)