T20 WC 2026: Suryakumar reveals Dhoni`s advice before the start of tournament

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Team India secured a dominating victory by 96 runs over New Zealand in the final of the T20 World Cup 2026.

Following the victory, Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav revealed that he met legendary captain MS Dhoni before the tournament. The incumbent Indian skipper also said that Dhoni had advised him to play courageously.

“His reaction was amazing. I met him before the tournament. He had advised me on how to play in ICC tournaments. He had told me that we have a fantastic team and we just need to play courageously. Victory would be ours,” he revealed.

Further speaking, Suryakumar said that his next goal will be to win an Olympic gold for India and also added that the “Men in Blue” will put all efforts to clinch the third consecutive T20 World Cup title.

“That is our next goal – to win Olympic gold for India in 2028. T20 World Cup will be held the same year, so we will make all efforts to make a T20 hat-trick,” said the 35-year-old cricketer.

“It feels great to have won the World Cup. India was hosting an ICC Tournament, and if you win in India, it is delightful,” he added.

This was the first time a team successfully defended their shortest-format world title. The “Men in Blue” also became the first team to clinch the title three times (2007, 2024, and 2026). India became the first team to win the T20 World Cup on home soil.

T20 World Cup 2026 Final: Summary

Batting first in the final, the “Men in Blue” posted a mammoth total of 256 runs for the loss of five wickets in 20 overs. Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan smashed half-centuries. Facing 46 balls, Samson scored 89 runs with the help of five boundaries and eight maximums. Abhishek also garnered 52 runs in 21 balls, including six boundaries and three maximums. Ishan smashed 54 runs off 25 deliveries, laced with four boundaries and four maximums. Later, burly all-rounder Shivam Dube also played a fiery cameo of an unbeaten 26 runs in just eight deliveries.

Chasing a target of 256, New Zealand was bowled out for 159 runs in 19 overs. Team India`s lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah returned with figures of four for 15 in four overs. Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Abhishek also chipped in with one wicket each.

(With ANI Inputs)

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