India star batsman Suryakumar Yadav has backed former West Indies captain Kieron Pollard to successfully adapt his leadership skills to the upcoming inaugural International League T20 (ILT20).

The 35-year-old swashbuckling batsman has been named as captain of the MI Emirates, the team owned by the executives of Mumbai Indians, ahead of the start of the competition on January 10. 

Pollard, who played for over a decade with Mumbai in the IPL before retiring last year, will bring plenty of experience to the position having, among other things, lifted 5 titles with the IPL franchise.

Having played for many years at Mumbai with Pollard, Yadav is confident that MI Emirates could not be in safer hands.

“I feel as a leader Pollard has been very calm, composed and gives everyone a chance to express themselves on the field whether the team is under the pump or even if we are on top,” Yadav explained.

“We felt very comfortable when he led MI and I am sure he will do the same thing for the MI Emirates,” he added.

In addition to Pollard and Yadav, the team will be boosted by the likes of the West Indian duo of Dwayne Bravo and Nicholas Pooran, who himself stepped down as captain of the West Indies white-ball teams late last year.