T20 World Cup
India captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed immense pride after leading the team to a historic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 victory, saying it felt special to win consecutive titles. India defeated New Zealand by a dominant 96-run margin in the final to successfully defend the title they had won in 2024.
The triumph marked India’s third T20 World Cup title, adding to their earlier victories in 2007 and 2024, and made them the first team to lift the trophy three times.
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Reflecting on the achievement, Yadav said, “It feels great, winning in back-to-back.”
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the ICC, the Indian skipper explained that the team had prepared thoroughly for the tournament, especially since it was held in India.
“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,” Yadav said.
Suryakumar himself scored 242 runs during the tournament but stressed that the team focused on collective success rather than personal achievements.
“Not think about personal milestones, just think about what the team wants at that moment and play as per that,” he said.
India had a strong start to the tournament, finishing the group stage at the top of Group A with an unbeaten record. However, they faced a setback during the Super Eight stage when South Africa defeated them by 76 runs.
Despite that defeat, India bounced back strongly. They beat West Indies in a crucial knockout-style match, then defeated England in the semi-final before overcoming New Zealand in the final.
Reflecting on the team’s journey through the competition, Yadav admitted that the campaign was challenging and filled with pressure.
“We had a little bit of a roller coaster ride since game one. No one made it easy (for us). 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,” Yadav reflected.
The captain also praised the team’s supportive environment, highlighting how senior players helped teammates regain confidence during difficult moments.
“You need to put, put your arm around their shoulders. Understand what’s going on 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,” Yadav said.
Abhishek Sharma had struggled earlier in the tournament but delivered a match-defining performance in the final with a crucial half-century.
Yadav also spoke about Ishan Kishan’s impressive return to international cricket after a two-year absence. Kishan scored 317 runs in nine matches during the tournament.
“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?’ 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,” Yadav said.
Sanju Samson also delivered a remarkable tournament, scoring 321 runs — the highest by an Indian player in a single T20 World Cup edition. His performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
“And Sanju Samson, I think he’s ice,” Yadav 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.”
India’s success was also built on their powerful bowling attack. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah produced decisive performances throughout the tournament. He turned the semi-final against England in India’s favour with a crucial spell in the 18th over and later took 4/15 in the final to earn the Player of the Match award.
Yadav praised his lead pacer for consistently delivering when the team needed him.
“A bowler had not won a Man of the Match in this tournament for India, and that was a perfect occasion, perfect game. 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 in my bowling department. I know on a given day they can defend any total for me,” he said.
Looking ahead, Yadav has already set his sights on future milestones, including cricket’s return to the Olympics in 2028 at the Los Angeles Games and the next T20 World Cup.
“One was definitely to win a T20 World Cup. We won it in 2024, wanted to win it as leader, won it in 2026. And also, why not Olympics, cricket at the 2028 Olympics, it’s going to be a special, special entry. All eyes on the 2028 Olympics and also the T20 World Cup later on,” he concluded.
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