‘Be courageous in tough situations’ - Suryakumar Yadav's message to India ahead of T20 World Cup final

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has given his team an inspirational message ahead of the final of the T20 World Cup 2026. India will take on New Zealand in a blockbuster clash scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on March 8. 

This will be team India’s third-successive major ICC final after a heartbreaking loss at the hands of Australia in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023. The Indian captain stressed his side to be fearless in the summit clash.

"We started this journey two years ago, and the circle has come back to the same stadium again where we left in 2023. Be courageous in tough situations - that's the simple message to the team,” Suryakumar Yadav was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

After the Ahmedabad final loss in 2023, the Men in Blue have clinched two ICC trophies: T20 World Cup 2024 and the Champions Trophy 2025.

According to Suryakumar, the presence of experienced campaigners, including Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, among others, will be crucial for his side.

"There are a lot of players in the dressing room who have played ICC tournaments, including our coach, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel. They have handled pressure situations in ICC events. This really helps and chatting with them in the bus or over dinner, we talk about how to overcome tough situations in the game and we find a solution. Such conversations are very important. Experience really matters in such lovely occasions and will matter the most,” he continued. 

Suryakumar was officially appointed India's permanent T20I captain in July 2024, following Rohit Sharma's retirement from the format. This will be his major assignment as India’s captain. 

“It is obviously a special feeling that I am going to lead tomorrow, and to be leading such a wonderful side into a final. That too on home soil. Of course, there are nerves. There will be butterflies in the stomach. But as I always say, if there is no pressure, there is no fun. So I'm also very excited," he concluded.