Kolkata (West Bengal) [India]: Ahead of the five-match T20I series against England, India’s T20I skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, brought his signature humor to the pre-series press conference when asked about India’s strategies for next year’s T20 World Cup.
With the marquee tournament just a year away, the series against England is seen as a vital step in India’s preparations. India’s vice-captain, Axar Patel, emphasized the importance of building momentum and setting the tone early.
“World Cup is coming up in a year, so how we approach it from now is crucial. Momentum is a big thing because if you start well, you can carry it forward. We finished 2024 well, and we want to bring that into this series too,” Axar said.
However, Suryakumar kept things lighthearted when quizzed about specific plans. “Sare secret bata du kya idhar hi (Should I reveal all secrets here)?” he joked, before adding, “We want to enjoy the journey, prepare the team, and play most games as a group. That’s what me and Gauti bhai (head coach Gautam Gambhir) are focused on.”
Series Details
The T20I series kicks off at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 22, with subsequent matches in Chennai, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai. The series will serve as a platform for experimentation, team building, and fine-tuning ahead of the World Cup, where India will defend its title on home soil.
India’s T20I Squad Against England
- Suryakumar Yadav (C)
- Sanju Samson (WK)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya
- Rinku Singh
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Axar Patel (VC)
- Harshit Rana
- Arshdeep Singh
- Mohammad Shami
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Washington Sundar
- Dhruv Jurel (WK)
The series promises intense cricket, serving as both entertainment and preparation as India gears up for another shot at T20 World Cup glory.