IND vs AUS: "It’s a build-up to World Cup..."- Suryakumar Yadav clarifies India's mindset ahead of Australia T20Is

Suryakumar Yadav stated that the T20I series against Australia is part of India’s preparation for ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Indian Cricket Team’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has reckoned that the upcoming T20I series against Australian Cricket Team will play a significant role in their preparation for ICC T20 World Cup 2026. After the completion of the three-match ODI series, Suryakumar is set to lead the Men in Blue in five T20I games against Australia.

The series will commence on October 29 with the opening game at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. The second game will take place on October 31 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, while the third clash will be played on November 2 at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. The last two encounters will take place at Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast and The Gabba, Brisbane respectively on November 6 and 8.

Suryakumar, who was appointed as India’s T20I captain last year, led the team to Asia Cup 2025 title last month. Now, he has a challenging task to outplay Australia Down Under, who are known for their supremacy at home.

It’s a build-up to ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Suryakumar Yadav on T20I series against Australia

Speaking ahead of the first T20I against Australia, Suryakumar said that India kick-started their preparation for ICC T20 World Cup 2026 with the Asia Cup last month, and the upcoming series is a build-up for the ICC tournament. He also added that India have stuck to a similar squad combination like the South Africa series last year as Australia has similar conditions.

“Our preparation (for T20 World Cup 2026) obviously started with the Asia Cup. Because since then we started playing T20s. And it will continue like this. We are not looking like we have come to a foreign country to play. So we will not see this series in a different way. We will look at it in the same way. It’s a build-up to the World Cup,” he said.

“There is not much change in combination. Last time when we went to South Africa, there also we played with one fast bowler, one all-rounder and three spinners. So conditions are similar – bouncy tracks. It’s a beautiful country to play cricket. And it’s quite challenging as well. So I am sure it will be a good one,” he added.

Notably, ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will take place in February and March next year in India and Sri Lanka and will witness a battle among 20 teams for the title, where India will defend the title.

Meanwhile, the Men in Blue will aim to avenge their ODI series defeat in the T20I series against Australia. Mitchell Marsh & Co. outplayed the visitors in the ODI series 2-1 after winning the opening two games.

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