Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has lauded Suryakumar Yadav’s ability to absorb pressure after India clinched a 29-run win against the USA in the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. India was struggling at 77-6 but Yadav made the most of his experience and helped his team post 161 runs on the board.
SKY scored a match-winning knock of 84 runs off just 49 balls with the help of 10 fours and four maximums. The Indian captain got off to a slow start as he was on five after facing 11 balls but he was able to change gears towards the fag end of the innings.
Kaif said on an Instagram video, “Suryakumar Yadav is basically saying hold on, I am here, I haven’t gone anywhere, don’t worry. He is not out of form, out of runs, he just needed one innings. As soon as that innings came, he started scoring runs in every match. This was a World Cup match, we are the defending champions, and Suryakumar Yadav is captaining for the first time. The team was in trouble at 77 for 6, with all the top-class batters in the dugout. Surya says I am here. He was on 5 runs from 11 balls.”
“First, he focused on temperament, built a partnership, played calmly, and slowly got the team out of the situation. Later, he came in during the death overs. Even the USA bowler, Saurabh, was unsure where to bowl. The 360-player label they gave him is true because the bowler was unsure where to bowl and was confused. When Suryakumar says wait, I need one match, his form comes through. In the last five matches, he has scored fifties in four, and was not out in three of them. This innings came under pressure, but Surya is saying trust me,” he added.
On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav revealed he was just trying to play good shots when the team was under the pump.
He said in the post-match presentation, “I knew some day, it was going to come. I was trying to hold the innings for the team (in the last year). Packed my kit bag (after my last innings last year), spent time with my family and then went to Nagpur, and it was a different feeling. I always felt there was a need for a batter to bat to the end. Did not feel it was a 180-190 wicket, it was more like a 140 wicket.”
“Have played a lot of my cricket here, so I know how to bat on similar wickets. 77/6, from there, batting till the end, you had to understand one batter has to bat till the end. Was just trying to play good shots and my shots,” he added.
India will next take on Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on February 12.
