Suryakumar Yadav is ready to lead India in the T20 series against Australia, but he admits it will take time to get over the heartbreaking loss in the ODI World Cup final just three days ago.
Suryakumar, who will be leading the team in the absence of Hardik Pandya, expressed his feelings about the recent World Cup defeat. He acknowledged that moving on from such a significant loss is not easy and will require some time. Despite the disappointment, he emphasized the importance of looking ahead and being positive about the upcoming T20 series.
The tight schedule in international cricket means that both India and Australia will be back on the field for the T20 series just 96 hours after the World Cup final. Suryakumar, reflecting on India’s near-perfect campaign in the World Cup, said, “It is difficult; it will take time. It can’t be that you wake up next morning and forget everything that happened.”
He highlighted the resilience of the team, stating, “As you get up in the morning, the sun rises again, there is light at the end of the tunnel. You have to move on. It is a fresh team (T20 squad), really looking forward to the challenge.”
Suryakumar also mentioned the support from fans and families, which has been crucial in helping him and the team move on from the disappointment. Despite the World Cup loss, he took pride in the positive and aggressive brand of cricket that India played throughout the tournament.
Acknowledging Rohit Sharma’s crucial role in the World Cup, Suryakumar praised the captain’s leadership and expressed hope that the T20 squad would replicate his example in the upcoming series. With key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and K L Rahul not part of the T20 squad, Suryakumar emphasized the importance of being fearless and selfless in the matches, looking ahead to the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Speaking about the team’s wicket-keeper batter, Suryakumar mentioned that both Jitesh Sharma and Ishan Kishan are strong contenders, with a decision to be made later. He encouraged a selfless approach and emphasized the significance of all the T20 matches in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup.