Suryakumar Yadav relives T20 World Cup win, eyes on LA28

Captain Suryakumar Yadav believes India are laser focused on achieving greater heights as a team, rather than chasing individual glory. A quality which helped them earn a historic third ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

On Sunday, India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in Ahmedabad to become the first team to defend the Men's title since the tournament's inception. It was also the first time that a team won the Men's T20 World Cup at home.

“It feels great, winning in back-to-back,” Suryakumar said in an exclusive interview with ICC.

“We knew that this tournament was going to happen in India, so our preparations were spot on. We understood how the conditions will be, what we needed to do, how we wanted to play.

“I think care is the right word, which I felt seeped into this team slowly when the tournament started, thinking about each other, what the team requires at a given point. This was the mantra for this year's edition.

"Not think about personal milestones, just think about what the team wants at that moment and play as per that.”

The defending champions had a bit of a rocky start, as they were reduced to 77/6 in the opening game against USA in Mumbai. With his team in trouble the captain stepped up and steered them to safety.

Through the tournament, different players took on the responsibility at different times, to ensure they maintain the dominant run. India won eight of the nine matches they played at the World Cup, their only defeat coming against 2024 finalists South Africa.

“We had a little bit of a roller coaster ride since game one. No one made it easy (for us),” he said. “We knew that it was going to be difficult as you play at home.

"The pressure is more in front of your home crowd. Playing in India, there was a lot of responsibility. Yes, everyone was excited for the tournament, but yeah, at the same time it was a lot of pressure as well.”

One thing that stood out for India was the faith put in several players even during their lean phase. Opener Abhishek Sharma started the tournament with three straight ducks, while Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan made their way into the playing XI to come good when it mattered.

Even mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy took a blow, as he conceded 64 runs in the semi-final against England.

“They were not tough conversations,” Suryakumar said, when asked about what he told the players that endured a dip in form.

“You need to put, put your arm around their shoulders. Understand what's going in their mind and share your experience. Let them be free. Things did not go Abhishek’s way at first. Still, he went out and did things his way.”

Kishan, meanwhile, piled on a mountain of runs in domestic cricket to force his way into the T20 World Cup team. Out of the Indian team for over two years, the explosive opener made a timely return to light up the World Cup stage. He scored 317 runs in nine matches.

“Before the tournament, I still remember when we were picking the team. I had a call with him and I told him, ‘Will you win the World Cup for me?’” the captain recalled.

“He said, just show a little bit of trust and I'll do it. And he didn't disappoint. In the last two years, he has missed out on a lot of international cricket, but then he went back to domestic cricket, played his part, did those hard yards, came back again into the Indian side, and did the best what he's known to do.”

When the Indian needed a shake-up after the defeat to South Africa, they brought in Samson to add the right-left hand bat dynamic at the top of the order. And Samson grabbed the chance with both hands, Scoring three successive 80+ scores in the last three clutch matches.

He finished with 321 runs in the tournament, the highest by an India at a single T20 World Cup edition, and as the Player of the Tournament.

“And Sanju Samson, I think he's ice,” Suryakumar said. “He's always been the best man to have around, and the moment he got an opportunity, I feel he did the best what the team wanted. I think it's good to have him like an elder brother in the side to keep everything calm.”

Even as India scored over 250 runs in three of their last four matches, the player who made possibly the biggest impact was pacer Jasprit Bumrah. India’s most enduring match-winner turned the tide in the semi-final clash against England in the 18^th over, as he conceded only six runs, and claimed 4/15 in the final to earn the Player of the Match honour.

“A bowler had not won a Man of the Match in this tournament for India, and that was a perfect occasion, perfect game,” the captain said, lavishing praise on his bowling spearhead.

“Robot, national treasure, Jasprit Bumrah raising his hand, doing it for the team time and again.

“(In the final) As soon as we scored 250, 256, we always knew that we had a little bit of upper hand with our bowling unit because I take a lot of pride with my, my bowling department. I know on a given day they can defend any total for me.”

While India already created history by defending the title, the captain is now eyeing a three-peat in two years time. Cricket is also set for a historic Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, and India will once again be keen to make a mark.

“One was definitely to win a T20 World Cup,” Suryakumar said of his team’s ambitions. “We won it in 2024, wanted to win it as leader, won it in 2026. And also, why not Olympics, 2028 Olympics cricket, it's going to be a special, special entry. All eyes on 2028 Olympics and also the T20 World Cup later on.”