IND vs SL: Suryakumar Yadav reacts to being promoted as India's T20I vice-captain

World No.1 Suryakumar Yadav opened up on being ascendent as India's T20 vice-captain for the home series against Sri Lanka. In a first, the prolific batter's consistency was paid off when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced the T20I squad and ODI squad. While there were quite a few notable changes in the squads, one of the highlights was the promotion of flamboyant right-hander. 

Yadav, incidentally, was the second highest run-scorer for India at the T20 World Cup 2022 only behind former captain Virat Kohli. He believes that his promotion as vice-captain was a reward for his consistent performances. 

"It (vice-captaincy) was not expected. I can only say it's kind of a reward to me for the way I (have) played this year. It feels good and I'm really looking forward to it. I came to know from my dad who is always active on social media. He forwarded me the list and also sent me a short message - 'not to take any pressure and enjoy your batting'. For a moment, I closed my eyes and asked myself, 'is this a dream?' It's a great feeling,” the 32-year-old told the Times of India. 

Suryakumar Yadav tops the charts of Highest run-getters in T20I in 2022

The Mumbai-native has been in the form of his life as he holds the record of the highest run-getter in the shortest format in the calendar year (2022). The swashbuckling batter added 1164 runs from 31 T20I outings in 2022 at a stunning strike rate of 187.43. Furthermore, Suryakumar scored two centuries and nine half-centuries under his belt, signing off 2022 as the number one ranked T20I batter in the world.

“It still feels like a dream. To be seen and called as world’s No. 1 T20 batter. If someone would have told me one year back, I don’t know how I would have reacted. When I started playing this format, I wanted to be the best and I worked hard for it,” told the vice-captain.

Yadav will look to continue on his fine run in the T20 series against the Islanders.