India vs New Zealand Final: Suryakumar Yadav Attends Pre-Match Press Conference

Key takeaways from India captain Suryakumar Yadav’s pre-match press conference before the T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand.

India continues preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The defending champions reached the finals after winning 7 of their 8 matches in the tournament.

The team now stands one win away from becoming the first side to win consecutive Men’s T20 World Cup titles. A win would also mark the first time a team lifts the trophy on home soil.

Captain Says 250 Could Be a Strong Total

India captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed the media in a pre-match press conference in Ahmedabad. He spoke about the team’s batting approach for the title match. He noted that totals above 250 can prove strong, but the target will depend on the pitch.

“We will look to bat well. If we get above 250, it will be good! But we don’t think or plan that way; it depends on the wicket. And how much total we get, we will defend that!” he said.

“I think handling pressure is all about how calm you are in tight situations. For example, when you are in your training session and that time you put a lot of pressure on yourself, so when you go into the game, you are prepared for it. Talking to each other feels like a proper family. Even the support staff have been in similar situations during their playing careers. A positive call is always a better option to be taken,” the skipper added.

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Suryakumar also reflected on his journey to India captaincy. He described the moment as special after a 6-year international career.

“Its obviously a special feeling. I am also excited, so are the players, staff and fans. We are continuing the same things; six years have been a long journey for me. Leading India and that too in such a big tournament, I’m very happy and excited,” he revealed.

Sanju Samson’s Hard Work Earns Place in Line-Up

The skipper then spoke about Sanju Samson’s return to the playing group.

“I feel the tough calls, me and head coach, do it together. We see how the team will benefit and which player we should add, depending on factors like match-ups. Regarding Sanju’s inclusion, we saw that in the bilateral series, the combination of Sanju, Ishan and Abhishek batting in the top worked, and so we roped him in. When he wasn’t playing, he was doing everything for the team, which worked for him too. He is reaping the benefits of his hard work,” he said.

Suryakumar Credits Rohit Sharma’s Leadership Influence

When quizzed about Rohit Sharma’s influence, Suryakumar explained that he learned several leadership ideas while playing under Rohit. The captain said he continued many of those approaches while also adding a few new ideas.

“It is the same shoes, just different footsteps. It was not difficult. When we left, I learned a lot of things from him. I followed the same strategy and tried to implement some new things. Hopefully it goes really well tomorrow also!”

Last but not least, SKY noted the importance of the team environment inside the dressing room. He believes a positive atmosphere helps players perform freely on the field.

“I feel a good and happy team atmosphere is key. If you want to see players happy on the ground, what you do in the dressing room is very important. Giving them the freedom in the dressing room is very important. Being a captain is just a position; you need to ask every player what they want and then we can be on the same page together,” he concluded.