WATCH: Gautam Gambhir addresses dressing room after India's series win, Hardik Pandya praises Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy

India have made a strong start to their new era in the shorter format. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav's maiden assignment was decorated with a 3-0 whitewash against Sri Lanka. The Men in Blue ended the series with a thrilling Super Over win in Pallekele on Tuesday, July 30.  

Inserted to bat first, the Indian top and middle order failed to find resistance. They were reduced to 48-5 in 8.4 overs. However, contributions from Riyan Parag and the lower order helped India reach a decent total of 137-9. The second innings involved several dramatic moments, especially in the final overs, but India held their nerve to push the game into a tiebreaker.

Washinton Sundar was given the Player of the Match award for his all-round performances. Meanwhile, Suryakumar, who excelled in both batting and captaincy and also chipped in with two wickets in the last over of the third T20I, was adjudged the Player of the Series.

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Following the match, Gambhir congratulated the team and also praised the captaincy of Suryakumar while addressing the dressing room. He also advised players who are not part of the ODI series to use the break wisely and maintain fitness.

"Outstanding captaincy and more important as well because I asked for something before the start of the game and you actually delivered it. This is what happens when you keep fighting. You don't give up," Gambhir can be seen saying in a video uploaded by the BCCI.

"Make sure when you come back for the Bangladesh Series, you can take a break. You absolutely deserve it. But more importantly, keep your skills and especially your fitness levels high," he added.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 💙



Head Coach Gautam Gambhir 🤝 Hardik Pandya address the dressing room as the action now shifts to the ODIs in Colombo #TeamIndia | #SLvIND | @GautamGambhir | @hardikpandya7 pic.twitter.com/PFrTEVzdvd

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 31, 2024

Hardik Pandya shows no hesitation on praising Suryakumar's captaincy

Instead of inviting Surya to wrap up the proceedings, the new coach made room for Hardik Pandya. The star all-rounder, who was rested for the third T20I, highlighted the stand-out performances, especially Washington Sundar. Notably, Pandya was eclipsed by Surya for the T20I captaincy role. But despite all such developments, he appreciated the leadership of his fellow Mumbai Indians cricketer.

"Surya, well done on making sure that the way you rotated the bowlers, making sure, showing faith in the bowlers, which you gave in the last couple of overs. That was brilliant. And as a bowling group, obviously it was fantastic everyone chipped in. Washi, well done buddy. When you win games like this, eventually it kind of takes us forward. We are taking step by step. But this was definitely a right step going forward for the future and well done to all the guys who are playing ODIs, kill it! Continue!," Pandya said.

The three-match ODI series will begin on Friday, August 2. All the matches will be played at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The series will also mark the return of veteran players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. 

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