India’s newly appointed T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav has said his relationship with Gautam Gambhir is quite special. Yadav’s bonhomie with Gambhir goes a long way back as the former played under the latter’s captaincy in IPL 2014 for Kolkata Knight Riders.

Gambhir led KKR to glory in IPL 2012 and 2014 and he will look to get the best out of the players while coaching the senior Indian team. 

Meanwhile, Gambhir has backed Suryakumar Yadav as India’s new T20I skipper ahead of Hardik Pandya. Chief selector Ajit Agakar revealed they didn’t back the all-rounder for the leadership role because of his fitness issues.

“My relationship with him is quite special because I played under him in IPL 2014, and from there I started to get more opportunities. Teen kadam chale aur aap bhi do kadam aaye, aur beech mei kahi toh mile (Walked three steps, and you walked two steps, and we met along the way). It was that kind of a relationship, and it is still the same to this day. He knows how I work and my mindset for the game. Very excited to see how it goes forward,” Suryakumar Yadav said in a video released by the BCCI.

The Mumbai batter feels it is important to find the right balance in life as well as the sport.

“This is not your life, this is only a part of your life. When you do well you stay on top and when you are not doing well, you go underground, that is one thing which I feel you should not do as a sportsman, not only a cricketer. That’s what helps me create balance in my life, so if you are a good person, then everything happens good,” Suryakumar said in the same video.

Yadav said he liked being part of the leadership group even when he was not the official captain.

“I’ve always enjoyed being a leader on the field even if I was not the captain. I’ve learnt a lot of things while playing under different captains. So it’s a good feeling and a great responsibility,” he added.

The first T20I between India and Sri Lanka will be played at Pallekele on Saturday.