Skipper Suryakumar Yadav Praises Team’s Selfless Approach, Says “No One Is Bigger Than The Team”

October 13, 2024: India captain Suryakumar Yadav reiterated the importance of a “selfless” approach and emphasized that “no one is bigger than the team” after India’s dominant 133-run win over Bangladesh in the final T20I of the series.

This victory not only secured a 3-0 series sweep but also showcased India’s commitment to a team-first mentality, a philosophy strongly endorsed by head coach Gautam Gambhir.

The match, played in Hyderabad, was marked by explosive performances, particularly from Sanju Samson, whose selfless and fearless knock of 111 from 47 balls epitomized the team’s approach.

Samson, accelerating after a solid start, hammered five consecutive sixes in the 10th over off Rishad Hossain and reached his century in just 40 balls, setting the stage for India’s imposing total of 297/6, the second-highest in T20I history.

In the post-match presentation, Suryakumar praised the team’s selflessness, reflecting on how this has been a consistent theme under Gambhir’s coaching. He highlighted the camaraderie within the squad, saying, “We want to be a selfless team… and enjoy each other’s performances both on and off the field.” He mentioned that Gambhir, from the start of the series, emphasized that “no one is bigger than the team,” and even cited Samson’s decision to go for big shots regardless of personal milestones as a perfect example of this mindset.

Suryakumar also addressed the importance of flexibility, particularly with key players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Jasprit Bumrah preparing for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.

The captain experimented with different bowling options and shuffled the batting order, promoting young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy in the second T20I. He explained that the team needs to be adaptable with both batters and bowlers chipping in when needed.

As India prepares for their next T20I assignment in South Africa, beginning on November 8, Suryakumar emphasized the need to maintain “good habits” and continue playing with the same flexibility and selfless mindset. This approach, he believes, is key to their future success.