Brisbane, Nov 8 (NationPress) India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav humorously addressed the ongoing trophy standoff regarding the Asia Cup 2025 after leading his team to a 2-1 series victory against Australia, expressing his joy at being able to 'finally hold a trophy'. His remarks came in light of the abandonment of the fifth and final match at The Gabba due to rain.

“It feels wonderful to finally be able to touch the trophy. When I received the trophy for our series victory, it was a special moment. Recently, another trophy made its way back to India as our women's team clinched the World Cup. Having both trophies home feels fantastic,” Suryakumar shared during the post-match press briefing.

India has continued its impressive streak in T20Is, marking a seventh consecutive series win since their triumph at the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup. With upcoming bilateral series against South Africa and New Zealand before they aim to defend their title at home in three months, Suryakumar remains realistic about the challenges ahead, stating, ‘you can never say all the bases are covered’ in T20 cricket.

“I consider myself fortunate to have these talented players with diverse skills. They contribute uniquely to our discussions on bowling, batting, and fielding. There’s a palpable energy on the field, and the team enjoys playing together,” he noted.

“From a batting perspective, we’ve maintained our approach over the last six to eight months, and it’s working well. The top-order batsmen have been performing excellently, which brings smiles to everyone’s faces,” Suryakumar added.

“On the bowling front, players are stepping up, and having an experienced bowler like Bumrah in the team fosters growth as they learn various skills and strategies from him. This camaraderie is also beneficial,” he explained.

“We’re striving for progress. There’s never a point where we can say all bases are covered. We learn continuously from every game. So far, things are looking good, and we hope to keep that momentum going,” he elaborated.

Another highlight for India was Abhishek Sharma earning the Player of the Series title after scoring 163 runs across three innings at an average of 40.75. Suryakumar praised the adaptability shown by Abhishek and Shubman Gill, who effectively adjusted their batting tempos according to the pitch conditions.

“The faster one adapts to a challenging wicket, the better it is. Today, the pitch was favorable, allowing them to revert to their natural game, scoring over 50 runs in just four and a half overs. However, it was crucial to read the pitch well in the last game, and they excelled at that,” he emphasized.

“At this level, you gain knowledge through experience. The quick adaptation shown will serve Abhishek well in future matches, especially in similar subcontinental conditions. They communicate effectively and run well, absorbing lessons quickly. Despite the limited 120 balls, there’s often more time than perceived,” he concluded.

“Sometimes, even if a lion must eat grass, it’s okay,” he humorously remarked, reflecting on the learning journey.