In New Delhi, March 15, India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, who led the team to victory in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, said that the key to their recent success was a deliberate strategy of minimal changes in the squad and unwavering trust in a stable group of players.
Speaking at a panel discussion at the BCCI Awards ceremony in New Delhi, Suryakumar explained the approach that guided the team for two years. “It wasn’t that difficult. I think, from where we were in 2024 under Rahul sir, we knew that we needed to show a lot of trust and belief in the players. Because, you see, sometimes in sports, things don't always go as planned. There will be ups and downs, but you have to keep believing in your team and give them the support they need.”
He continued, “When we started preparing for the 2026 T20 World Cup, we wanted to maintain stability. We knew that if we had a strong, experienced team, we could achieve great things. So, we focused on building that team and sticking with it.”
Suryakumar highlighted the importance of sticking with a settled team, especially in a major tournament. He recalled a challenging game against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where the Indian batting lineup had a collapse before Suryakumar himself rescued them with an unbeaten 84.
“We were the favorites going into the tournament, but even then, there was pressure. We were nervous, and you could see that in the first game against the USA. But we knew that if we could stay focused and play our best cricket, we could overcome those challenges.”
He also praised the collective selflessness of the batting unit, particularly Sanju Samson’s willingness to prioritize the team’s goals over personal milestones.
“We had eight batters in our squad, and we knew that someone would step up and perform. But we always played the same way, and we tried to give everyone opportunities. I think everyone took their responsibilities seriously. They didn't focus on individual scores; they focused on contributing to the team’s success. That’s what helped us achieve so much.”
Suryakumar also spoke about the importance of keeping the team’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, happy and motivated throughout the campaign. “It was important for us to create a positive and supportive environment for everyone. We wanted to make sure that everyone felt valued and that they were playing their best cricket.”
With cricket set to feature in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, Suryakumar expressed his ambition of adding an Olympic gold to their growing collection of ICC trophies. “It would be a great achievement to win an Olympic gold. And it would be even more special, considering that we already have a lot of ICC trophies.”
Suryakumar concluded by saying that the 2024 World Cup victory had been a crucial step that had inspired the entire team and the wider cricket community. “That one victory was important. It showed everyone what it takes to win an ICC trophy. And now, we want to build on that success and achieve even more.”