The tale of two Indias: Surya offers a rare glimpse into the team's other side

IND vs SA, T20 World Cup: Suryakumar Yadav's Indian team begin their Super 8 campaign against South Africa on Sunday. Here is a rare glimpse into a side of the Indian team that is often unseen, beyond their confident and bullish persona on the global stage. Observations in Ahmedabad, however, suggest a group that is far more grounded, introspective, and measured than their dominant image suggests.

Usually bullish, witty and funny in the pre-match press conference, there was a rare glimpse of a slightly conservative Suryakumar Yadav ahead of India's first Super 8 match in the T20 World Cup 2026. Speaking to the press, Suryakumar admitted that there was pressure on the Indian team, and that he tried to keep his mind away from it, choosing instead to stay in the present.

Keeping your mind off pressure, however, is easier said than done.

Someone in the room brought up the law of averages. India have won 12 matches in a row in T20 World Cups. The suggestion hung in the air — surely, one bad day must be around the corner.

"If you think about that, it's not easy, it's difficult. Because sometimes when you play good cricket, like you said, law of average, you can hear the voice. But it's okay, we try to avoid that thing a little bit," Suryakumar said.

There was honesty in that response. Not the honesty of someone fearing a collapse. But of someone who understands the cruelty of sport. That even when you prepare well, even when you are better, the game can tilt on a misfield, an edge, a gust of wind. He knows that one imperfect moment can undo a dozen excellent ones.

And yet, beneath that awareness sits belief. India are on a 12-game winning streak in T20 World Cups. (Image: Reuters)