Surayakumar Yadav reveals 2026 T20 World Cup plans, says 'we are not treating ... '

NEW DELHI: India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav feels that the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia will play a significant role in India’s build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup. India, who recently lost the three-match ODI series 1-2, will now shift focus to the shortest format, with the T20Is beginning on Wednesday.


The first match will be played in Canberra, followed by the second in Melbourne on October 31, the third in Hobart at Bellerive Oval on November 2, the fourth in Gold Coast at Bill Pippen Oval on November 6, and the fifth and final T20I in Brisbane on November 8.


Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Speaking ahead of the series opener, Suryakumar said the team is approaching the tour as an extension of their ongoing T20 process rather than treating it as a separate overseas challenge.

“There is not much change in combination. Last time when we went to South Africa, there also we played with one fast bowler, one all-rounder and three spinners. So conditions are similar — bouncy tracks,” Suryakumar said.

He further explained that India’s preparation for the T20 World Cup had already begun earlier this year.



“Our preparation (for T20 World Cup 2026) obviously started with the Asia Cup. Because since then we started playing T20s. And it will continue like this,” he said.

Even though most of India’s upcoming T20 assignments will be held in Asian conditions, Suryakumar emphasised that the team’s mindset remains unchanged.

“We are not looking like we have come to a foreign country to play. So we will see this series in a different way. We will look at it in the same way. It’s a build-up to the World Cup,” he added.

Describing Australia as both “beautiful” and “challenging”, Suryakumar said, “It’s a beautiful country to play cricket. And it’s quite challenging as well. So I am sure it will be a good one.”

Suryakumar also shared an update on Shreyas Iyer, who was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a Sydney hospital after sustaining a spleen laceration, saying the batter is stable and was replying to the messages over phone.

Iyer suffered the injury while taking the catch of Australia wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carry during the third ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He was immediately taken to the hospital for further evaluation and was later admitted there to the ICU.

'We spoke to him. At least on the first day, when we got to know that he had an injury, I called him first. Then I got to know that he didn't have a phone. Then I called my physio, Kamlesh. He told me that he is stable. On the first day, you cannot be sure of anything.

"We have been talking to him for two days now. He has been replying. If he is replying on the phone, it means he is stable. And the doctor is also there with him. But he will be under supervision for the next few days. So it's looking good. But he has been replying, so that is good," said Suryakumar ahead of the first T20I against Australia.

"He has been replying. If he is replying on the phone, it means he is stable. And the doctor is also there with him. But he will be under supervision for the next few days. So it's looking good. But he has been replying, so that is good," he added.



Catch Lovlina Borgohain's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 5. Watch Here