IF WE FOCUS COMPLETELY ON PLAYING GOOD CRICKET TODAY THEN I AM SURE IT WILL BE 12-0: SURYAKUMAR YADAV
Indian Men’s team T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav feels the Women In Blue can go all the way this edition
POSTED BY: MRUNALI, 4 October 2025
MUMBAI(RMN) : Speaking exclusively to JioStar before India take on Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup India 2025, Indian Men’s team T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav feels the Women In Blue can go all the way this edition
On his thoughts around the first India Pakistan fixture at Asia Cup 2025:
It was my birthday that day. So, I knew that I could get a little gift from God. And I got it that day as well. Because we had thought that we will play a good brand of cricket which we have been doing since the tournament. And we did that. And we played good cricket that day and the other two Sundays as well. And we were victorious.
On fourth Sunday now India meeting Pakistan, this time the women’s team:
Women’s cricket is playing a different brand of cricket from the last 1-2 years as I can see. They are already playing well. But against Pakistan, I think they have been playing some good cricket. If they continue as they have been doing then I am sure mission 12-0 will happen if we play good cricket and our entire focus will be on cricket.
His advice to Harmanpreet Kaur before this match and the one-sided rivalry between India and Pakistan:
I spoke to the captain 2-3 days ago that her campaign has started well and everyone is looking in good shape. They also had a good camp here in the Centre of Excellence before the World Cup. And when the mood is good in the camp when everyone creates a good culture in the camp then matches and victories actually become a by-product.
My stand will never change on that. Because, I will say it again if you talk about rivalry then rivalry is when you play 12 games and it’s a 6-all or 7-5 or something like that. But 11-0 I think is not a rivalry. If the women’s team also focuses completely on playing good cricket today then I am sure it will be 12-0.
On Smriti setting the world alight with her batting:
When you are a home nation and play in your own country then there is always pressure on you. But at the same time, we have played so many matches in India in front of the Indian crowd so there is always good support and help. But at the same time everyone including Smriti Mandhana, I think she has been batting beautifully. Most consistent performer for India. And if she continues then I think it will be everyone’s contribution. It’s a good occasion for everyone to chip in, have some runs and then go on in this tournament. So, I am sure it will require a complete team effort in this game today and then obviously going forward in this tournament.
On the fastest ODI hundred for India across men’s and women’s cricket by Smriti:
She got 63-ball 125. I think it’s a remarkable achievement. I have never seen someone do that in women’s cricket. That’s what I said. They are playing a different brand of cricket when required then I am sure if they continue to do that it will be a very good tournament.
His message to all the Indian fans to back the Women’s team to win ICC trophy for the first time:
Absolutely. Looking forward to it. I am very positive this year. The way the women’s team is playing their cricket. The way the mood in the camp is because I still remember when I was injured a few months back and I was at Centre of Excellence BCCI at Bangalore. They had a beautiful camp of I think 15-17 days and I could feel that and I told the coach as well and also the captain that I feel it’s a different feeling this year.
His prediction on the player of the match against Pakistan:
I am a batsman but I always think that an all-rounder’s role is very important in a team. If an all-rounder can’t do it with a bat, then he/ she gets an opportunity to do it with a ball. So, I feel Deepti Sharma maybe can be an x-factor today with the ball, with the bat. And the rest, I would like everyone to contribute from start to end. But I am sure, according to me, Deepti Sharma may be the player of the match today.
His take on India’s top-run getter in this competition:
Oh my God! Such controversial questions. How can I name anyone in a team sport? I would like 3-4 people to make runs. There is a soft corner for Mumbai, so Jemimah.
Catch India vs Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup India 2025, today, Oct 5, at 3:00 pm, LIVE on JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network
