Mumbai, Feb 5 (NationPress) With the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 set to commence in just two days, where India aims to defend their title from two years ago, skipper Suryakumar Yadav stated that being the reigning champions does not equate to added pressure from expectations.

During the pre-event media briefing, as the captains of the competing teams addressed the press, Suryakumar Yadav faced questions regarding the pressure on his squad, his recent performance, and how conditions might influence their gameplay.

SKY emphasized that being the defending champions does not impose extra pressure on India, especially after their recent success, which included a 4-1 series victory over New Zealand in a five-match T20I series.

"The way we've been performing suggests confidence. However, in any game, one must deliver their best. There are 19 other formidable teams in the tournament, and each match is crucial," Suryakumar Yadav remarked.

He also reiterated his previous statement about not being out of form but merely a bit short on runs, having achieved several key half-centuries against New Zealand.

"I mentioned this before - I'm not out of form, just out of runs. It feels great to be scoring runs again ahead of a major tournament," said Suryakumar Yadav, recognized as one of the premier T20I batsmen due to his diverse shot-making abilities.

The Indian captain was also asked about the concerns raised by former captain MS Dhoni, who indicated that dew could significantly affect matches given the season and venues. A considerable amount of dew makes bowling with a wet ball during the second innings quite challenging.

Suryakumar Yadav stated that dew is beyond their control, so they plan to concentrate on what they can manage. He affirmed that they will continue to implement strategies that have proven successful recently, such as batting first, without being overly concerned about dew.

"Every match holds significance, but we will focus on our strengths and the type of cricket we wish to play. Dew is not within our control. Winning the toss and fielding first might help avoid dew, but ultimately, we will focus on what we can manage.

"We have performed well batting first and in chasing totals. Regardless of the situation, whether it’s a league match, semifinal, or final, we will decide on the day. If we choose to bat, we will bat first, as having runs on the board has always been advantageous. We have significant experience with dew, having played numerous matches in such conditions. Our players have been involved in both franchise and international cricket for years, so we should eliminate that variable and focus on delivering quality cricket," he added.

Suryakumar Yadav also expressed that he is not in favor of exclusively playing daytime matches to counteract dew, as the focus should be on how teams prepare and execute their strategies.

"Every team is bringing their A-game. While there is a day game in the tournament, I believe it is a good challenge if dew becomes a factor. The game has become more sophisticated; you prepare regardless. If dew is a possibility, you prepare for it. Ultimately, it comes down to your preparation, which is what matters. Once you're on the field, it’s all about autopilot," Suryakumar Yadav concluded.