As India gear up to defend their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup crown on home soil next year, all eyes are on skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who will lead team India at the marquee event. Yadav, whose rise in international cricket has been as dazzling as his strokeplay, is preparing for what could be the defining chapter of his cricketing journey.
Having played a massive role in India’s victorious 2024 campaign, the explosive batter is drawing both confidence and motivation from that memorable run. During the 2024 campaign, India beat South Africa in the final to clinch the title.
“I mean it’s a big challenge going into the T20 World Cup. I am very excited to be leading this time. It’s going to be a lot of fun," Suryakumar said on Tuesday in Mumbai at a special event where the T20I World Cup fixtures were confirmed.
“What gives me a lot of motivation is looking at that trophy. When we reached the West Indies (co-host of 2024 event) and every time we had the national anthem, we would eye this silverware. Every single time. And we thought as soon as the final comes, we have to win this trophy. And after seeing it again from up close, it gives me a lot of motivation. That too playing in India, I think it is going to be a lot of fun," he said.
Team India have been drawn in Group A with India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, and Namibia. The tournament, which begins on February 7 next year, will see India open their campaign against USA on February 7.