Ahead of the forthcoming Super Fours match against the bitter rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, India captain Suryakumar Yadav recently responded to a number of enquiries on the atmosphere within the Indian team and his own mental state. The Men in Blue won the first continental tournament match between India and Pakistan, which will now have their second meeting.
Suryakumar Yadav stressed that before returning to the pitch, players must shut off all outside distractions, get enough sleep, and concentrate on keeping a clear head. He added that it was difficult to fully disconnect from what social media was displaying. The 35-year-old added that he has counselled his India teammates to “shut out a lot of noise from outside” and just listen to constructive criticism.
“Go to bed, turn off your phone, and close your room. That’s the best, in my opinion. You see, it’s simple to say, but it may be challenging at times because you have a lot of players nearby who enjoy seeing all these things, you go out to dinner, and you make a lot of friends. According to Cricbuzz, Suryakumar Yadav said, “It’s really hard, but then it’s up to you, what you want to listen to, what you want to have in your mind, and then you go on and have a practice session or go on and have a play again.”
“But I’ve made it very clear to all the boys that if you want to succeed in this tournament and in the future, we’ll need to block out a lot of outside noise and focus on what’s best for you. I’m not saying to shut up all the noise, but do what’s best for you and get some excellent counsel from others that will benefit you on the ground and in the game.
That is really important to me, and I feel like everyone is in a good place,” Suryakumar Yadav continued.
When questioned about if the non-handshake gesture would continue, the Mumbai native sidestepped the topic by talking more about the style of cricket the squad hopes to play. He continued on the same subject by attempting to convey his pride and gratitude for always being able to represent the country at the greatest level.
“The ball and bat contest is good. There’s also a good-intensity contest. The stadium is packed, so you get the best crowd to cheer you on, as I mentioned in response to your last query. Additionally, it’s best to love the game and represent the nation with excellence. As you may have noticed, during the National Anthem, I always keep my eyes closed. I can’t stop thinking about it. I can’t get it out of my head. As long as I can, I will continue to give thanks to God for allowing me to play. I’m overjoyed,” Suryakumar Yadav said in closing.
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium will host the crucial Super Four match between India and Pakistan on Sunday, September 21.
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