Surya Kumar Yadav Backs Hardik, Dubey and Others to Lead India in Super 8

Ahmedabad: After a 17-run victory over the Netherlands in their final group-stage match of the T20 World Cup 2026, Indian captain Surya Kumar Yadav expressed strong confidence in his team’s middle-order firepower ahead of the Super 8 stage.

Chasing a massive target of 194, the Dutch side was restricted by India’s disciplined bowling attack, allowing India to maintain its unbeaten run in the tournament. Speaking after the match, Surya highlighted the team’s performance, the challenges posed by dew, and the strength of the middle-order.

Surya Kumar Yadav’s Take

Commenting on the conditions, Yadav said, “Obviously, we wanted to bat first. We posted a total of 190, and when we came out to bowl, the dew made it a bit challenging for the bowlers. Overall, though, I’m very happy at the end of the day.”

He added, “In the future, we may face similar situations. There could be slow starts, but it’s crucial for every batsman to understand their role and read how the wicket behaves in the middle overs. We have enough firepower with players like Hardik, Shivam, Rinku, Axar, and Vashi who can finish games effectively.”

Praise for Shivam Dubey

The captain singled out Shivam Dubey for his impactful innings. “I thought it was an excellent knock. The way he batted during the middle overs relieved pressure on everyone and helped us post a strong 190 on this wicket,” Yadav said.

Bowling Depth Brings Confidence

Talking about India’s bowling options, he said with a smile, “Sometimes having so many choices is a good kind of headache. I have multiple options with Abhishek Sharma, Hardik, and Dubey, and they can bowl certain overs depending on the demands of the wicket.”

Maintaining Momentum

On his captaincy and the team’s form, Yadav expressed satisfaction while emphasizing continual improvement. “I’m very happy with how things are progressing. Almost every batsman is contributing, and that’s what I want—small partnerships. We’ve ticked almost all the boxes, but there’s always something to learn after a win. We’ve identified a few areas, and we’ll rest and discuss them tomorrow,” he said.