Mumbai, March 10 (NationPress) Following India's remarkable victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed his straightforward plans: return home, savor delicious meals, and indulge in some much-needed rest before gearing up for future challenges.

India secured the championship on Sunday, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs during the final match, thus becoming the first team to win the tournament on home ground. This victory also marked India as the first nation to successfully defend its title, achieving the remarkable milestone of winning the cup three times.

Reflecting on this significant achievement, Suryakumar emphasized that the triumph belongs equally to the fans and players. "Your celebrations mirrored ours. Congratulations to everyone! Winning the World Cup in India holds a special significance. It feels truly rewarding here, thanks to the unwavering support and prayers from countless individuals," he stated to reporters outside his residence in Mumbai.

He also treasured the moments shared with his family, especially his parents, who joined in the celebrations. "They were right by my side during our victory. I spoke with them after returning home. Now, we will take a moment to sit together and enjoy some quiet time," he added.

Looking forward, Suryakumar revealed that the team is already eyeing the sport's Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics. "Absolutely! The team's next goal is to secure an Olympic gold for India in 2028. That same year will feature another T20 World Cup, and we will strive to achieve a hat-trick of T20 World Cup victories as well," he stated.

During the celebrations, the crowd chanted "Surya! Surya!", a moment that reminded him of the iconic chants once reserved for Sachin Tendulkar. "The ‘Sachin Sachin’ chant is completely warranted! He is the God of Cricket and paved the way for us. After so many years of playing cricket for India, this was an exhilarating feeling for us as well. He is part of the Mumbai Indians, so we always have conversations with him. Winning in Ahmedabad was immensely important to us," he mentioned.

Suryakumar acknowledged Rohit Sharma, the former India captain, for believing in him when he took on the leadership role. "Under his captaincy, we claimed the T20 World Cup in 2024. After that, when Jay Shah served as the BCCI secretary (now the ICC chairman), and Rohit stepped down, he entrusted me with the captaincy. Over the last two years, I have led this team well, culminating in this World Cup win. His trust in me was significant, and this victory is for all of India," he stated.

He also shared the guidance Rohit offered him before the tournament commenced. "His reaction was very positive. Before the tournament, I met him, and he advised me on how to perform in ICC tournaments. He emphasized the strength of our team and encouraged us to play courageously. Our victory was within reach," he recounted.

While addressing the controversies involving Pakistan and Bangladesh during the tournament, he pointed out that the team's primary focus remained on winning the trophy. "Winning the World Cup feels extraordinary. Our objective was clear: If an ICC event is hosted in India, winning such a significant tournament at home brings immense joy. Since the day we won, the entire nation has been celebrating, and this happiness will endure for a long time," he remarked.

Suryakumar mentioned that the team managed the pressure of defending their title by trusting their preparation. "We didn’t encounter any major difficulties. We had succeeded in ICC tournaments in 2024 and 2025, instilling confidence that if we performed well, victory was achievable this time too. It’s fortunate that we peaked at the right moment. Pressure is constant; it adds excitement to the game," he noted.

Regarding the celebrations that followed India's victory, Suryakumar shared that the team chose to relish the moment collectively. "I wish I could disclose what we did that night after becoming world champions... We had a fantastic time and stayed awake until 8 a.m. We were all together. In a team sport, celebrations should also be a shared experience. Hence, we celebrated as one," he explained.

He hinted at the need to shift focus soon to the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. "The IPL schedule hasn’t been announced yet, but we are eagerly anticipating the tournament," he added.

For Suryakumar, lifting the trophy was a moment filled with joy after years of hard work. "Holding the trophy felt incredible since it had been a while since we last held it (there’s sarcasm there), and the overall experience was extraordinary. We thoroughly enjoyed the celebrations post-match," he stated.

The true significance of leading India to a World Cup victory began to resonate with him only after returning home to Mumbai. "Until yesterday, I didn’t experience any emotions. But upon arriving in Mumbai, this feeling is settling within me and will linger for a long time, regardless of any tournament like the IPL. I truly feel special," he expressed.

Despite his global success, Suryakumar stated that he remains closely tied to his roots. "It all began in Mumbai… in the streets of Chembur, where I was born. I will always cherish this place as it is where my journey commenced, including my cricket coaching," he affirmed.

When asked if he identifies as a proud Chembur resident, he replied with pride, "Yes... but above all, I’m a proud Indian."

For now, Suryakumar reiterated that his immediate plans are straightforward. "My current plan is to go home, enjoy good food, sleep well for two days, and then return to play in the IPL, followed by the Olympic tournament where we will aim for great success."