Overview

• Speaking at JITO Connect in Hyderabad, India’s T20 captain praised Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma for their dedication and composure following the title run in Dubai.
• Suryakumar said he told Abhishek to relax, stay true to his game, and that he would continue opening for India even through lean returns.
• Abhishek later recalled being assured he would play even after “15 ducks in a row,” crediting that backing for a freer mindset and a 314-run, Player-of-the-Tournament campaign, as reported by Free Press Journal.
• He reflected on never playing for India under MS Dhoni yet learning composure by observing him, describing the value of staying calm in pressure moments.
• Suryakumar contrasted leadership styles that shaped him, calling Virat Kohli a hard taskmaster who handed him his debut and praising Rohit Sharma for keeping players at ease with an open-door approach.