Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20I captain, said his team wouldn’t be making too many changes in the combination as the road to the T20 World Cup starts with the five-T20I series against South Africa, commencing Tuesday at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. The skipper also gave a bit of an insight on why the team management went to Shubman Gill as the opener while dropping Sanju Samson in the middle order role.
With India set to play 10 T20Is on the road to the marquee tournament, Surya is content with the kind of performances the team has been showcasing in the shortest format of the game.
“The preparation for the T20 World Cup started after the T20 World Cup of 2024 was over,” Surya said at the pre-match press conference. “Because in any big tournament, you cannot think that the tournament is here and the preparation has started. When we give exams in school, it is not like we try to study everything in the last four days. We study for a year or two. Our preparation is similar. The preparation started after the T20 World Cup of 2024 was over. Since then, we have been trying new things and everything is working for us.”
There has been a lot of chatter around whether senior pros should go back to domestic cricket to prepare better for international series. Surya is one of those players who always features for Mumbai whenever his schedule allows him to play domestic cricket.
“According to me, you should never forget your roots in domestic cricket. And whenever there is no international cricket, all the players go and play domestic cricket. It is a good challenge there,” he said. “Because of such a challenging atmosphere, when you come here, it becomes easy for you because you work very hard there.
So, it is very important to play in the domestic circuit again. Whenever you are available. And if you look at the players who went there, for example, Abhishek (Sharma) went to play and a lot of players went to play. So, you always stay in touch. You always know how the game is going. You get to learn a lot from that.”
Surya clearly hinted that the think-tank would not be making too many changes to the playing combination from the Asia Cup or the white-ball tour of Australia, both of which India won.
“The only thing is what type of cricket we want to play. That is one thing which we always want to try and do when we take the field. Rest, we don’t want to change anything that is happening. Everything is going well. We wanted to continue the same way. We don’t want to change anything,” Surya said.
One of the biggest talking points has been the battle of wicketkeepers with Sanju and Jitesh Sharma fighting for a spot in the XI.
“In terms of Sanju, yes, when he came into the circuit, he batted higher up the order. Now the thing is, other than the openers, I feel everyone has to be very flexible. He did really well before he played, when he opened the innings,” Surya said. “But Shubman had played before him in the Sri Lanka series. So, he deserved to take that spot. We gave Sanju opportunities. He was ready to bat at any number, which actually is good to see any player being very flexible, batting from 3 to 6 anywhere. So, that is one thing which I have told all the batters.
“Other than openers, everyone has to be very flexible. So, both (Sanju and Jitesh) are in the scheme of things. It is always good to have flexible players like both of them being part of that squad. One can open, one can bat lower down the order. Both can do all the loads. So, it is an asset to our team and also a good headache to have..”
With dew leaving a considerable impact on the results in the recently concluded ODI series between India and South Africa, the skipper was asked about whether dew will play a major role in the T20Is as well. “I have played both domestic and IPL games, but a long time ago. So, I know about the ground well. And there is a good crowd to support here. Now, the dew is something that is not in our control. Sometimes it is less, sometimes it is not. Sometimes it is too much. But we play so much cricket,” Surya said. “We play franchise cricket. We have played so many matches in India. We have so much experience. So, I think now that we are here, we can’t do anything. We can’t leave the game. We have to play the game.”
The Indian team also welcomed back both Hardik Pandya and Gill after the duo recovered from their respective injuries. “Right now, both of them look healthy and fit. They are in the team,” Surya confirmed before lavishing praise on Pandya for the balance he brings to the fold. “That’s what (balance) he (Hardik) brings to the table. His experience, the way he has done really well in all the matches, all good games also, all bigger games, ICC events, all ACC events. I think that experience will count a lot. His presence will definitely give a good balance to the side.”
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