On or off the field, Suryakumar Yadav comes across as a jovial person. He is always up for a lighthearted joke. We could see a snippet of it during the 2025 Asia Cup’s captains meet. One of the questions was related to whether India would feel the pressure of being called the best T20I side going around, and billed as the favourites to lift the Asia Cup.
Suryakumar’s reply went as follows: “Who told you? (all the captains had a chuckle).” He added, “I didn’t say anything of that sort (again with a smile). It comes down to preparations. If your preparations are good, you would feel confident while taking the field. We are playing T20Is after a long time as a team. But we are here three-four days back. Our preparations have been good. We are really looking forward to the tournament.”
Incidentally, the Indian team hasn’t played any T20I games since the five-match rubber against England back in January and February this year.
Salman Agha, the Pakistan skipper, chipped in by pointing out the unpredictable nature of the shortest format. “In T20s, I don’t think anyone is a favourite,” he noted. “On a particular day, you have to play very good cricket. T20 cricket is very fast paced. In one or two overs, the game can change. I said that the other day the tri-series was always a preparation for the Asia Cup, and the environment was like, ‘We have to win that tournament.'”
Suryakumar’s ability to stay calm and lighten the mood could be also seen when he quipped about whether Jitesh Sharma or Sanju Samson would be picked for India’s opening fixture against the UAE. “Sir, I shall message you the playing XI,” he said with a chuckle. “But yes, we are really taking good care of him and don’t worry, we shall make the right decision.”
India and Pakistan continued to be the focus at the captains meet, with a volley of queries being asked on the team combination and recent form. There was also a question with regard to whether the two captains need to keep the tempers of the players in check in the backdrop of the tensions between the two countries.
On his part, Suryakumar observed, “Aggression is always there when you take the field. Without aggression, I don’t think you can play the sport. And I am very excited to take the field. Meanwhile, Agha said, “Everyone is individually very different. If someone is aggressive on the field, they are more than welcome to do that. The fast bowlers are always aggressive, you can’t stop them. From my side, there are no instructions, as long as it stays on the ground.”
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