Ahmedabad, March 9 (UNI) Suryakumar Yadav described India’s title-winning campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as a “wonderful journey”, saying the team’s transformation after 2024 and adoption of a new brand of cricket played a key role in their historic triumph.
Speaking at the post-final press conference, the India skipper said the month-long campaign had been special despite not beginning exactly as the team had hoped.
“Obviously, it has been a wonderful journey in the last one month, though it didn’t start the way we wanted it to start, but then it’s part of the sport. Throughout the journey till today, it has been very special and collectively as a team what we’ve achieved is right in front of you, so very happy with that,” he said.
He added that the team would now set its sights on future global tournaments, including the Olympics and the next T20 World Cup cycle.
“Definitely the next goal is the Olympics and also the T20 World Cup that year. Don’t forget,” Suryakumar said.
Reflecting on the team’s evolution over the past two years, he said India had changed its approach after the 2024 title win.
“Everything changed post-2024. We played a different brand of cricket in 2024 and from there, we understood how this team needs to move forward and play going ahead. It has been a wonderful journey since then,” he said.
He noted that India also lifted the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 during the period and wanted to produce something special in front of home fans in the 2026 tournament.
“We won an ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 and now in 2026 we wanted to do something special in front of a home crowd right here. We want to continue doing that in the coming years as well,” he added.
India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, defeated New Zealand, captained by Mitchell Santner by a massive 96-run margin to successfully defend their title in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final.
India posted a record 255/5, the highest total in a T20 World Cup final. Abhishek Sharma smashed 52 off 21 balls with six fours and three sixes and shared a 98-run stand with Sanju Samson.
Chasing 256, the Kiwis were reduced to 72/5 as Jasprit Bumrah (4/15) and Axar Patel (3/23) struck early despite a counter-attacking 52 off 26 balls from Tim Seifert.
India continued to pick up wickets at regular intervals as New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 159.
