Asia Cup: What’s Suryakumar Yadav's Secret to Blocking Out Noise?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Suryakumar Yadav emphasizes mental clarity before matches.
- Filtering out external noise is crucial for performance.
- Team unity and support from fans play a significant role.
- Past performances do not guarantee future success.
- Focus on entertainment and joy of playing the game.
Dubai, Sep 20 (NationPress) Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed his strategy for tuning out ‘external distractions’ during a sincere discussion with the media at a press conference before the team's 2025 Asia Cup Super 4s clash against Pakistan.
India and Pakistan are set to meet for the second time in the tournament after both teams advanced to the Super Fours. The previous encounter between these rivals was filled with tension, particularly following the Men in Blue's controversial decision to forgo a handshake.
When pressed about the handshake incident, the 35-year-old adeptly addressed the situation and provided insightful answers.
Responding to a reporter's question about India's overall performance in the last match against Pakistan, which included the handshake controversy, Yadav humorously remarked:
“Oh, you mean our excellent bowling? Absolutely! We have a strong combination of both batting and bowling. It feels fantastic to play in front of a full stadium and receive such enthusiastic support. Our aim is to give our absolute best for the nation.”
Regarding the intense rivalry, the Mumbai Indians player stated: “I’m not sure what rivalry you are referring to. When I step onto the field and see a packed stadium, I tell my team, ‘Alright, everyone, it’s time for some entertainment!’”
When discussing his method for blocking out outside noise before critical matches, the Mumbai native advised: “Shut your room door, turn off your phone, and get some rest. It's straightforward to suggest, but it can be challenging. You encounter many friends, go out for meals, and are surrounded by players who enjoy the attention. It’s tough, but it’s your choice what you allow to affect your mindset. Moving forward, we need to filter out much of the external noise. I’ve made that clear to the boys.”
The Indian T20I captain emphasized that their previous victory against Pakistan does not provide the Men in Blue with any advantage, asserting that they will need to “start from the beginning” after reflecting on their performance against Oman.
“Having played them [Pakistan] once and performed well doesn’t grant us any edge. We need to reset. The nation consistently supports us in every match. Please continue to support us in this game as well,” Yadav concluded.
vi/bsk/