Debutant Suryansh Shedge has revealed that India's 2011 World Cup victory was the defining moment that set him on the path to international cricket, saying he wept watching the trophy lift and resolved that night to represent the country on the biggest stage. Shedge earned his maiden India cap in the second T20I against Ireland at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, having been named as the replacement for all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy in the squads for the T20I series against Ireland and England.

The Night That Changed Everything

'The first time I really cried watching cricket was when India won the 2011 World Cup. That night, watching the Indian team lift the trophy, something changed inside me. I knew that this is what I want to do, represent my country on the biggest stage. From that day, I started working towards that dream,' Shedge said in an interview with JioStar.

He described pulling on the national jersey for the first time as an emotion beyond words. 'When I received the Indian jersey and wore it for the first time, I can't describe that feeling. All those early mornings, the hard work, the sacrifices, it all felt worth it. Wearing that jersey is not just a dream come true; it's the start of a new journey,' he added.

Arshdeep Singh's Emotional Call After Selection

Shedge also recalled one of his first congratulatory calls after the selection was confirmed — a video call from left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. 'He congratulated me and shared his own experience of getting selected. I spoke to him for a while. It was a very emotional moment. It was really hard to process. Even now, it hasn't fully sunk in yet. It still feels like a dream,' Shedge said.

The gesture from a senior teammate underlines the camaraderie within the Indian setup, something that has become a visible feature of the team's culture under recent management.

Learning From Shreyas Iyer Off the Field

Shedge singled out India T20I captain Shreyas Iyer as a major influence, describing conversations that go well beyond match preparation. 'I talk a lot with Shreyas Iyer bhai. We spend a lot of time together off the field as well. We are constantly talking about cricket, about batting, bowling, match situations, and how to handle pressure. During the IPL season, we watch other games together and discuss what we would do in those situations. Those conversations are always healthy and keep going. It helps me learn a lot from his experience,' he stated.

High Praise for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Fearless Mindset

Shedge also spoke warmly about teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, highlighting the youngster's rare mental freedom as what sets him apart. 'His mentality is incredible. He genuinely enjoys batting and never overcomplicates things. He has such strong belief in his ability that even if he gets out for a duck, he doesn't let it affect him. He backs himself to score a hundred off 30 balls in the next game. That kind of self-belief is rare. He doesn't carry any baggage from the previous ball or the previous match. He lives in the moment and plays with complete freedom. That is what makes him so dangerous,' Shedge said.

With his international career now underway, Shedge's journey — rooted in a 2011 childhood memory — will be closely watched as India's T20I series against Ireland and England progresses.