Former NZ all-rounder makes BIG claim on Suryakumar as India's T20I captain, says 'Gambhir doesn't have...'

Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris made a big claim about Suryakumar Yadav as India's T20I captain. Surya was recently promoted as the T20I captain after he pipped Hardik Pandya for the top job with new head coach Gautam Gambhir and BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar citing fitness issues for the latter. Under Surya, India have already won the ongoing three T20Is versus hosts Sri Lanka, with an unassailable 2-0 lead following an easy win in the second game. However, Styris feels the dashing batter is a 'short-term option' as Gambhir hasn't got a 'natural captain' to work with at present.

Styris told India Today, "I think he's a short-term option. I don't think Gambhir has a natural captain amongst the players that he has right now. He's buying himself time as to who will be the next long-term captain."

Add WION as a Preferred Source

The New Zealander, however, lauded the team management for namingShubman Gill as the white-ball vice-captain for the SL tour. After the three T20Is, the action will move to the three ODIs with Rohit Sharma to lead the side. Gill, who is currently Surya's deputy in T20Is is also the ODI vice-captain. Styris feels this is a right call as Gill is being looked upon as a future captain and, hence, is the right candidate to be vice-captain at present.

'Gill could do the job for 10 years for India'

Styris commented, "You know, someone like Gill I think could do the job for 10 years for India, but he's not quite ready right now, so I think it was a really smart decision to bring in someone with a bit more experience."

He added, "If he (SKY) does a decent enough job, then he might be the captain at the next T20 World Cup. And then after that, you can look at Gill or any of the other potential options around. But yeah, I think it's a really clever decision."