"Just be fearless," Suryakumar Yadav's message for Indian team ahead of his 1st match as captain

India captain Suryakumar Yadav attended the pre-match press conference ahead of 1st IND vs AUS T20I.

At the Narendra Modi International Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023, India faced a heartbreaking defeat in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The nation, which had triumphed in all 10 matches leading up to the final, saw their championship dreams shattered by Australia. Pat Cummins’ crucial toss decision, choosing to bowl first on a slow and dry wicket, set the stage for a gripping encounter.

The conditions favoured the bowlers as the ball failed to come onto the bat, making run-scoring a challenging task for the Indian team. Despite commendable efforts from Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and a quick start from Rohit Sharma, India managed to put only 240 runs on the board. The Australian bowlers capitalised on the old ball, utilizing reverse swing to restrict India’s scoring opportunities.

In the second innings, India displayed resilience, reducing Australia to 47/3. However, the onset of heavy dew and an outstanding 137-run innings from opener Travis Head turned the tide decisively in favour of Australia. Head’s performance echoed his impact in the ICC World Test Championship final earlier in the year, further adding to India’s disappointment.

The defeat left Indian fans and players devastated, with stalwarts like Kohli, Rohit, and Siraj visibly emotional. The team’s journey, marked by ten consecutive victories, made the loss all the more heartbreaking. As the fans mourned India’s loss, attention quickly shifted to the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024.

Preparation for T20 World Cup 2024

Despite the recent setback, the Indian team is gearing up for the T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean Islands and the USA. A strategic five-match T20I series against Australia at home is set to kickstart the preparations. Notably, a fresh squad, including promising new players, has been assembled, with Suryakumar Yadav being appointed as the captain.

Hardik Pandya, the regular T20I captain, continues to recover from an ankle injury sustained during the 2023 World Cup. The captaincy has now passed to Suryakumar Yadav, who in his first pre-match press conference, addressed the challenges following the heartbreaking defeat in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final.

Suryakumar Yadav’s Perspective on moving on from the World Cup final loss

During the press conference, Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged the difficulty of moving on from the World Cup loss. He emphasised the importance of time and a fresh start. Despite the lingering disappointment, Suryakumar Yadav expressed optimism, noting that every morning brings a new sunrise and a chance to forge ahead.

He said: “It is difficult. It is difficult, it will take time. “It can’t be that you get up next morning and you forget everything that happened. It was a long tournament and obviously we would have loved to win.”

However, he highlighted the rejuvenated energy in the team, composed of new faces eager to make their mark. With a focus on the upcoming T20 series, Yadav encouraged a forward-looking approach.

He said: “It is a fresh team, new boys, great energy. So we are really looking forward to this T20 series.”

Suryakumar Yadav wants a selfless approach

In his role as captain, Suryakumar Yadav stressed the significance of selflessness on the field. He urged the players to prioritise the team’s goals over personal milestones, emphasising that collective success should be the primary objective. Drawing on his experience with the young players during the Ireland T20s and the Asian Games, Yadav emphasised the need for fearlessness and enjoyment in their approach to the game.

He said: “The first thing I wanted to say was, let’s be very selfless when you go onto the field because I am a guy who doesn’t think too much about the personal milestone instead of team’s goal. And I have always told them that you have to keep the team first and then whatever comes after that, you can take your call. And I have played with them a lot of times during IPL and a few India games as well. So they know how I function. A lot of these youngsters played in the Ireland T20s, they went to the Asian Games, they did well in both those formats.”

Suryakumar Yadav on guiding the New Generation

As the captain of a team featuring several new faces, Yadav’s guidance centres on fostering a fearless and enjoyable style of cricket. He commended the young players’ recent performances in the IPL and domestic cricket, reassuring fans that they are in good form. Yadav’s leadership philosophy revolves around consistency, urging the newcomers to stick to their natural game and relish their time on the field.

He added: “Very clear, just be fearless and do whatever it takes to help the team. And they have been doing that in the IPL, they have played a lot of domestic cricket as well recently. So they are in good nick, which I heard from our support staff. And I have told them only one thing, just enjoy your time in the middle, do the same thing, don’t do anything different at the end of the day, just a game of cricket.”

As India embark on the T20I series, the absence of World Cup star players and senior members offers an opportunity for emerging talents to shine. With Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav as the key players from the previous squad, joined later by Shreyas Iyer for the last two games, the team will aim to build a strong foundation for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

The defeat in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final has left a lasting impact on the Indian cricketing fraternity. However, with a resilient captain in Suryakumar Yadav and a squad of talented youngsters, the focus is firmly on the future. The T20I series becomes a crucial juncture for preparation as India aims to reclaim its cricketing glory on the global stage.

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