India’s men are back in a world-event final on Sunday, facing New Zealand at the ground that broke home hearts during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The setting is identical, yet the format and leadership are new. Suryakumar Yadav, captaining in a major final for the first time, wants his side to approach the occasion with clear heads and, above all, bravery.
“We started this journey two years ago, and the circle has come back to the same stadium again where we left in 2023,” he reminded reporters on match-eve. “Be courageous in tough situations – that’s the simple message to the team.”
India are hardly short on big-match experience. Since losing that ODI final they have pocketed the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy. Senior players – Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel among them – have featured in each of those successes and remain central.
“There are a lot of players in the dressing-room who have played ICC tournaments, including our coach, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel. They have handled pressure situations in ICC events,” Yadav noted. “This really helps and chatting with them in the bus or over dinner, we talk about how to overcome tough situations in the game and we find a solution. Such conversations are very important. Experience really matters in such lovely occasions and will matter the most.”
New Zealand’s tactical habit of slipping an off-spinner into the powerplay – typically to probe left-handers – drew limited concern from the Indian camp. Asked if the coaching staff had presented any special plans, Yadav shrugged.
“We haven’t discussed the offspin threat at all. On a given day, if any batter does well against a particular bowler, then it’s important to do that and do what the team requires,” he said. “In the last game too, we saw there were two lefties against an offspinner but we batted well – Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube and even Tilak Varma. At this stage, I don’t think we need to think about it too much. If in the final they bring on two spinners then we have to face them and I’m sure we’ll handle it.”
Those measured words do not entirely mask the human element. The skipper admits nerves are real, even after India’s recent trophy haul.
“It is obviously a special feeling that I am going to lead tomorrow, and to be leading such a wonderful side into a final. That too on home soil,” he said. “Of course, there are nerves. There will be butterflies in the stomach. But as I always say, if there is no pressure, there is no fun. So I’m also very excited.”
The butterflies will settle once the first ball is bowled; whether India can turn courage into yet another ICC title remains Sunday’s compelling question.
