India might have won two ICC trophies since, but the scars of the 2023 World Cup final are as fresh on Suryakumar Yadav’s mind as they are on those nostalgic Instagram reels. So, when asked on Tuesday which team he would pick to play in the final of the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup, the format’s captain didn’t shy away from pouring his heart out with just five words: “Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, Australia.”
It’s the same combination that beat them in 2023. India were unbeaten, traveling all over the country, scripting story after story before it all came crashing down, well short of a perfect finish. Suryakumar was in that team — perhaps the only player whose importance and contribution could be questioned — and scored a poor 18 (28) as India stumbled
to just 240, and lost by six wickets in 43 overs.
In contrast to the T20I skipper, though, Rohit Sharma, the man who was the captain on that November 19 in Ahmedabad and led those other two ICC triumphs, said he only wants to see India win.
“Obviously, I want India to be in the finals. I can’t really put my finger on another team and say this or that. What has happened in the past has happened. I know Surya said it with a lot of passion and a heavy heart – Australia coming there and beating them in the same stadium,” Rohit said, sitting alongside Suryakumar and Harmanpreet Kaur at the ICC’s tournament schedule reveal in Mumbai.
“But I think India playing the final against any team, and India coming out on top, is what I would love to see. I’m not sure what others want, but I don’t really care about the opposition, to be honest. I just prefer India to be there, and then let’s see what happens,” Rohit added.
Defending champions India were named in Group A for the 2026 T20 World Cup along with Pakistan, USA, Netherlands and Namibia, while Australia were placed in Group B along with Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman.
