India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav recently opened up candidly on the subject of becoming the One-Day International (ODI) skipper, offering insight into his ambitions and the circumstances that kept that dream just out of reach. Speaking about his leadership aspirations he stated: “I think that if I had done well in ODIs, I could have gotten the ODI captaincy. I can still do it, it’s still my dream to play ODI cricket…” The veteran batter explained that although he didn’t focus on the idea of leading in ODIs earlier, it has become something he thinks about now.
Yadav pointed to his performances in the 50-over format as a limiting factor in his pursuit of the captaincy. He acknowledged that while his T20 credentials soared, his ODI track record — which includes 37 matches and 773 runs at an average of 25.76 — did not make the case as strong as he might have wished. According to Yadav, “Now I think that if I had done well in the ODI format, just like how T20I captaincy is going now, I could have got the ODI captaincy as well.” With the white-ball leadership of the Indian side undergoing change, he sees the shift as both a missed opportunity and a future target.
He revealed that conversations at home reflect his regret and his hope. Yadav admitted that he and his wife talk about how things might have been different: “At home when we are staying, we discuss this a lot. I talk to my wife and say that if ODI cricket had gone well for me, you never know. When Rohit bhai is done with the ODI captaincy, who will lead then? If you are performing well you can be a good contender.” This reflects his belief that he still has the ambition and the ability to lead in the ODI format, despite the leadership role being given to another benchmark. He insisted: “Even now I will try. I’ll give it my 100 percent. It’s always been a dream.”
Yadav’s remarks come at a time of transition in Indian cricket leadership. With Rohit Sharma stepping aside from various formats and Shubman Gill taking over the ODI captaincy, the window for Yadav may have shifted. He accepted the change gracefully, saying he was “very happy” for Gill’s rise and conceded that “everyone feels that fear” when it comes to leadership roles — “but it’s the kind of fear that keeps you motivated,” he added. He said the bond he shares with Gill — “the camaraderie between me and him … off the field and on it” — drives him to continue working hard.
Ultimately, Suryakumar Yadav’s comments reflect both an introspective view on what might have been and a determined mindset for what could still be. While the ODI captaincy role has moved on to another player, Yadav’s hunger remains. His statement is a reminder that leadership opportunities in modern international cricket are influenced by format-specific success, timing and the broader direction of a team. For Yadav, the journey is not over: he still sees a chance, still works towards it, and still carries the dream.