'MS Dhoni told Suryakumar Yadav how to approach': India skipper reveals key chat before T20 World Cup

Suryakumar Yadav shared that MS Dhoni told him to be courageous, which would help the team go over the line, and that eventually happened.

Updated on: Mar 10, 2026, 18:46:36 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed that he caught up with legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni before the T20 World Cup, seeking his guidance on the mindset and approach needed for the tournament. It was under MS Dhoni’s captaincy that India won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. With little experience in the format, the underdog side defied expectations and went all the way. For Suryakumar, however, the circumstances were very different, with India entering the tournament as favourites. His team lived up to the billing and added a third star to India’s T20 jersey by defeating New Zealand in the final.

Suryakumar Yadav reveals key chat with MS Dhoni before T20 World Cup. (AFP and PTI)

Speaking about a brief interaction ahead of the tournament, Suryakumar shared that Dhoni told him to be courageous, which would help the team go over the line, and that eventually happened.

“I had met him (MS Dhoni) before the tournament and he told me how to approach an ICC tournament. He told me that we have a good team, we just have to be courageous and we will definitely win. His reaction after the win was amazing,” said the captain.

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Suryakumar has joined an elite list of Indian captains to lead the side to T20 World Cup glory, with MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma being the only others on that list. Reacting to the milestone and the company he now keeps in Indian cricket history, Surya expressed pride and gratitude while looking ahead to building on the achievement, saying:

“It feels good to join that elite company. I am slowly feeling it. It is a very special feeling to be talked about among such great people. I will try to do the same in the future and help India win more trophies,” he said to PTI Videos.

“Next target is to win the Olympic gold in 2028”

Speaking about back-to-back triumphs and the ambitions that lie ahead, the Indian skipper highlighted the team’s momentum, the joy of winning at home, and the hunger to chase even bigger milestones in the years to come.

“It feels good to win 24 and 26 back-to-back. It is a very special feeling. When we won in 2024, we thought it would be so special to do this again at home in 2026. The next target is to win the Olympic gold in 2028. The team has a good momentum. If India wins the T20 World Cup in the same year, it will be great,” he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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