Tue Jan 21 14:23:13 UTC 2025: ## Suryakumar Yadav Confident Ahead of England Series, Addresses Captaincy and ODI Struggles
**Kolkata, India (January 21, 2025)** – India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav exuded confidence at a press conference Tuesday ahead of the five-match T20I series against England, starting Wednesday at Eden Gardens. Yadav, returning to action after a break, addressed his relationship with Hardik Pandya, his exclusion from the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, and head coach Gautam Gambhir’s leadership.
Yadav emphasized the strong bond he shares with Pandya, stating that despite the captaincy, Pandya remains a key member of the leadership group. He acknowledged the added responsibility of the captaincy but highlighted their long-standing friendship.
Regarding his omission from the Champions Trophy squad, Yadav candidly admitted his poor ODI form was the reason. He expressed disappointment but vowed to improve his performance in the 50-over format.
The captain also defended head coach Gautam Gambhir, who faces pressure following recent losses. Drawing on his four years playing under Gambhir with the Kolkata Knight Riders, Yadav praised his leadership style as simple and empowering for players.
India enters the series as favorites, boasting a strong head-to-head record against England in T20Is (13 wins out of 24 matches) and a winning streak in their last four series.
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