T20 World Cup 2026: Surya's Comeback, Captaincy Clarity and India's WC Blueprint Impress Mohammad Kaif

India's preparations for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 received a timely boost as captain Suryakumar Yadav rediscovered his best form in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand.

The fluent strokeplay

and authority at the crease have not only steadied India's batting order but also reinforced confidence around leadership stability heading into a home World Cup.

Speaking on JioHotstar's Team India's Blueprint for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026, former India batter Mohammad Kaif underlined the importance of Suryakumar's batting position in maximising India's scoring potential.

Kaif pointed out that Suryakumar's record at No. 4 has been outstanding, making it his preferred slot. However, he suggested tactical flexibility depending on match situations. If the opening pair settles in and negotiates the Powerplay, Kaif feels Suryakumar should be promoted to No. 3 to ensure India's most experienced batter faces more deliveries. In contrast, if an early wicket falls, Tilak Varma can be used as a buffer, allowing Suryakumar to control the middle overs.

Kaif also highlighted what separates Suryakumar as a leader. He praised the captain's close bond with teammates and his constant engagement, even after victories, to identify areas of improvement. According to Kaif, this attention to detail and collective mindset reflects Suryakumar's passion and maturity as a captain. With a strong winning percentage and calm on-field presence, Suryakumar has quickly grown into the leadership role across formats.

Looking ahead to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Kaif backed India to successfully defend their title at home. He cited India's depth in both batting and bowling, naming Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav as proven match-winners. With home conditions, vocal crowd support and a settled core, Kaif believes no other team matches India's all-round quality.

India's quest to repeat history begins on February 7, with all the action streaming live on JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network.