News
India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has accepted that trimming a squad of 15 to an XI is rarely straightforward, especially now that almost every role has at least two credible options. Speaking on the eve of the first T20I against Australia in Canberra, he argued that the depth on offer is healthy rather than problematic.
“It’s a good headache to have so many options, [whether] fast bowlers, [or] spinners,” Suryakumar said. “From the top to No. 7, everyone is flexible; anyone can bat anywhere. It is a little difficult during squad selection, but in this team, the atmosphere is such that everyone knows that the goal is to win.”
“If we want to win the match, then never mind the combination,” he continued. “So, even if someone has done well in the last two matches, but he is not fitting in the combination for the next game – for example, if we want to play an extra spinner or play an all-rounder instead of a fast bowler – the player understands. We have reached that situation.”
He delivered those words with a half-smile, admitting the social side helps. “I maintain a good friendship with everyone,” he said, which apparently makes it easier to break the bad news. Even so, he has told the entire group to prepare as if they could be called on at a moment’s notice.
“See, only 11 people can play, 15 cannot play, but according to me, anyone can get an opportunity at any time,” he said. “In the Asia Cup, Rinku Singh did not get the opportunity till the final, but he got a chance at such a time, when he needed 3-4 runs to win [the match] and he hit the boundary. I keep telling everyone to keep preparing and you never know when your opportunity can come. It can come in an important game; anything can happen.”
Bumrah’s return
A significant part of the selection puzzle is Jasprit Bumrah, back after sitting out the one-day series. India will almost certainly turn to him for early overs.
“As you saw in the Asia Cup, he took the responsibility of bowling two overs minimum in the powerplay,” Suryakumar said. “It is good that he is raising his hand. It is going to be a good challenge against the Aussie team in the powerplay.”
“The way he has played his cricket for the last so many years, he has kept himself right on the top, and he knows how to prepare for a good series. He knows how to come and play cricket here. I think he has visited this country the most of all the guys. So all of them have spoken to him. He is very open and very helpful in that, but yeah definitely when he takes the ground, starting from tomorrow, it will be a good thing. Good to have him in the squad, when we play in Australia.”
Context of recent results
India have not found Australia a forgiving destination of late. A 3-1 Test defeat and a 2-1 ODI reverse earlier this season underline that. Yet Suryakumar feels those series won’t weigh on the group this week.
“According to me, it’s a different format,” he said. The squad is virtually the same, but T20’s tempo and tactics differ markedly from Tests and ODIs, and India’s recent record – 13 wins in their last 15 T20Is – offers evidence.
Analysis
Yadav’s messaging is fairly clear: flexibility trumps sentiment. With batting depth extending to seven and multiple spin-pace balance options, India can tailor plans to conditions rather than shoe-horn big names. Bumrah’s presence sharpens the attack, especially in the first six overs where Australian openers usually aim to dominate.
The flip side is rhythm. Some specialists, particularly finishers such as Rinku Singh, have been short of time in the middle. Whether constant rotation disrupts fluency will become apparent once the series begins.
Still, India enter with confidence. The captain insists selection disagreements remain friendly and that every player “understands” the wider goal. If the dressing-room harmony survives the inevitable tough calls, the “good headache” might indeed prove a long-term asset.
