Suryakumar Yadav, Gambhir Visit Puri Temple

India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir visited the famous Jagannath Puri Temple on Tuesday morning, just hours before the opening T20I of the five-match series against South Africa. They were joined by Tilak Varma and several members of the support staff for the spiritual visit ahead of the busy international schedule. Footage released by local news channel OTV showed Suryakumar accompanied by his wife, Devisha Shetty, while batting coach Sitanshu Kotak was also seen seeking blessings at the Srimandir. Notably, it appeared that the team management had coordinated with local authorities well in advance to avoid any disruption and ensure a smooth darshan. Heavy security arrangements were in place around the temple to manage the gathering and facilitate the players’ movement. Senior officials, including the Puri district SP and Collector, along with representatives from the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), were also present during the visit. The presence of key administrative figures highlighted the significance of the team’s arrival in the region and ensured that all logistical requirements were taken care of. Suryakumar Yadav in dire need of big runs: Parthiv Patel Suryakumar Yadav showed glimpses, but big runs haven't come for long: Parthiv Patel Also Check Suryakumar Yadav in dire need of big runs: Parthiv Patel With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 drawing closer, India’s focus will gradually shift away from Tests and ODIs to refining their approach in the shortest format. One of the most important figures in India’s campaign will undoubtedly be Suryakumar, who has been exceptional in T20Is, amassing 2,754 runs in 89 innings at a strike rate of 164.41, including four centuries. However, 2025 has been a challenging year for the 35-year-old. He has gone 21 matches without a fifty, having batted 18 times during that period. His last half-century came against Bangladesh in October 2024, when he struck an impressive 75 off 35 balls. Since then, his best performance has been an unbeaten 47 off 37 deliveries against Pakistan during the Asia Cup. With only 10 T20Is remaining before the mega event on home soil, Suryakumar will be determined to rediscover his best form and lead from the front. A strong showing would not only boost his confidence but also provide a psychological lift to the entire dressing room. The first T20I is set to happen in Cuttack, with a full-strength South African side, including David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Donovan Ferreira, ready for action.

Just hours before the first Twenty20 International of the five-match series against South Africa, India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir paid a visit to the renowned Jagannath Puri Temple on Tuesday morning. Prior to the hectic international itinerary, Tilak Varma and a number of support staff members accompanied them for the spiritual visit.

Suryakumar Yadav was seen with his wife, Devisha Shetty, in footage aired by the local news channel OTV.

Batting instructor Sitanshu Kotak was also shown visiting the Srimandir asking for blessings. Interestingly, it seemed like the team management had planned ahead with the local authorities to guarantee a seamless darshan and prevent any disruptions. To control the crowd and make it easier for the players to walk around the temple, extensive security measures were put in place.

The tour also included senior officials, such as the Puri district SP and Collector, as well as members from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA). In addition to ensuring that all logistical needs were met, the presence of important official leaders emphasised the importance of the team’s arrival in the area.

India’s attention will gradually move from Tests and ODIs to honing their strategy in the shortest format as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 approaches. Suryakumar Yadav, who has been outstanding in T20Is, will surely be one of the key players in India’s campaign. He has amassed 2,754 runs in 89 innings at a strike rate of 164.41, including four hundreds.

But for the 35-year-old, 2025 has been a difficult year. After batting eighteen times, he has gone 21 games without hitting a fifty. In October 2024, he scored an outstanding 75 off 35 balls against Bangladesh, marking his final half-century. Ever since, his finest performance has been an undefeated 47 off 37 deliveries in the Asia Cup against Pakistan.

Suryakumar Yadav will be motivated to regain his peak performance and take the lead with just ten Twenty20 Internationals left before the major event on home soil. In addition to boosting his self-esteem, a successful performance would give the entire dressing room a psychological boost. A full-strength South African team, including David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Donovan Ferreira, is prepared to play in the first Twenty20 International, which is scheduled to take place in Cuttack.