Shocking! Only 2 journalists attend Suryakumar Yadav's press conference ahead of 1st IND vs AUS T20I

Suryakumar Yadav will captain India for the first time in his career.

On November 19, 2023, India faced a heartbreaking defeat in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi International Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. Despite a flawless track record of winning all 10 matches leading up to the final, the championship trophy eluded the Indian cricket team. The match witnessed a valiant effort from Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rohit Sharma, contributing to a total score of 240. However, Australian batsman Travis Head proved to be the game-changer with a remarkable 137-run innings, snatching victory away from India.

As the final moments unfolded, the emotional toll on Indian fans and players became evident. Icons like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Mohammed Siraj were visibly heartbroken, shedding tears at the loss that dashed their hopes of securing the World Cup. Despite the defeat, the team’s commendable performance throughout the tournament, winning all 10 games until the final, showcased the exceptional talent and dedication of the players.

India will take on Australia in a 5-match T20I series under Suryakumar Yadav

With the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 behind them, the Indian cricket team now redirect their focus to the T20 World Cup 2024, set to take place in the Caribbean Islands and the USA in June 2024. The preparation kicks off with a five-match T20I series at home, introducing a fresh lineup of players. Suryakumar Yadav, announced as the captain, will lead the team in the absence of Hardik Pandya, who continues to recover from an ankle injury sustained during the World Cup 2023.

The first pre-match press conference conducted by captain Suryakumar Yadav ahead of the T20I series revealed an unexpected turnout. Only two journalists were present, marking a significant decline from the 200-plus media presence during the World Cup. Veteran cricket journalist Vimal Kumar expressed his astonishment at the stark contrast, highlighting the drastic reduction in attendance and raising the question of whether this marked a record for the lowest attendance in a press conference in India.

Suryakumar Yadav attended his first press conference as a captain

Vimal Kumar, sharing his thoughts, pondered whether Suryakumar Yadav could have anticipated such a subdued attendance during his inaugural press conference as captain. The drastic shift from a media frenzy during the World Cup to a minimalist presence raises questions and also brings out the potential disappointment within India. The potential reasons behind this decline in media attendance could be diverse, from scheduling conflicts to the outcome of the World Cup.

“From 200 odd media people (during World Cup) to just two in press conference in India isstaggering! SKY wouldn’t have imagined this in his firstPC as captain. Is this a record with fewest attendance in a press conference in India? I would imagine so”, Vimal Kumar wrote.

As India gears up for the first T20I against Australia on November 23 at Vishakapatnam, fans await an exciting clash between the two cricketing giants. The anticipation is heightened by the mix of seasoned players and new talent in the Indian squad. Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy will be closely watched.

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