T20 World Cup: India captain Suryakumar Yadav unfazed by pressure of playing the final at home

Ahmedabad: Mind games are rarely part of an India– New Zealand contest but with the 2026 T20 World Cup final coming up, the pre-match chatter has acquired a slightly sharper edge. A few hours after New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said his team would aim to “silence” the packed Indian crowd, skipper Suryakumar Yadav brushed off the comment, saying such lines are routinely used before big games.“Sab same line chipka rahe hai. Kuch toh naya bolo (everyone is repeating the same line. Say something new),” Surya quipped.“The goal is to silence the crowd — that’s what everyone says. But T20 cricket is fickle and there are a lot of variables. If we go about our business the same way we have been doing, we can handle any challenge,” he added.

Surya admitted that leading India in a World Cup final comes with added pressure but said the team was embracing the occasion, especially with the title clash being played at home.

“It’s a special feeling and everyone is very excited. We have a very good environment in the group and we are looking forward to the final,” he said. “As a leader, there is pressure — I cannot deny that. But there is also excitement about playing a World Cup final, that too in India.”Captain backs VarunOne potential concern for India has been the recent form of mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy. Since the Super 8 stage, Varun has struggled against stronger sides, returning figures of 1/47 against South Africa, 1/35 against Zimbabwe and 1/40 against West Indies.

His toughest outing came in the semifinal against England at the Wankhede Stadium, where he conceded 1/64 in four overs, with Jacob Bethell smashing 42 runs off just 13 balls against him.Despite speculation that left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav could replace him for the final, Surya backed Varun. “Varun’s form is not a concern for us. Our focus is on winning games,” he said. “He is the world’s No. 1 bowler and knows how to help this team win.

We want to keep things simple. Captaining India in such a big final is a very special moment for me.”There has also been plenty of discussion around the nature of the pitch for the final, with speculation over whether it will be a red-soil or black-soil surface. Surya said he had not yet had the chance to inspect it closely. “I came here straight from the dressing room, so I haven’t had a proper look yet,” he said. “Some of our players and staff were standing in the middle earlier.

We’ll see what kind of pitch it is tomorrow but we have to play the final here any way. Any soil is fine.”India have played on both red and black soil surfaces and Surya said his team was comfortable adapting. On whether India would prefer to chase or defend, the skipper said the side was prepared for either situation. “We are equipped to do both. We have chased and won and we have defended totals,” he said.