5 big statements made by Suryakumar Yadav in press conference ahead of AUS vs IND 2025 1st T20I

India's T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav is all set to lead his side in Australia. The Men in Blue will play a five-match T20I series Down Under beginning Wednesday, October 29, in Canberra.

The visitors lost the three-match ODI series 1-2 and will be keen to turn things around in the T20Is. When they last played a T20I series in Australia in 2020/21, they won the series 2-1. They will be hopeful to repeat the same this time around.

Suryakumar Yadav will be leading the side for the first time Down Under. They will be confident heading into this series, having recently won the Asia Cup 2025. India were unbeaten in the tournament as well.

The series will also be crucial for both teams in terms of their preparations for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup. India are the defending champions, having won the 2024 edition.

Ahead of the series against Australia, here are five big statements Suryakumar Yadav made during the pre-match press conference. (via RevSportz)

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#5 On Shivam Dube bowling in Australia

In Hardik Pandya's absence in the Asia Cup 2025 final, Suryakumar Yadav used Shivam Dube as a new-ball bowler. Hardik will miss the T20Is Down Under as well. To maintain the team combination and balance, Dube could be seen bowling in Australia as well. Suryakumar did not rule out the possibility.

"He knows how these conditions are, and how to bowl here. He has been working really hard on his bowling, and that is why I gave him those overs in the Asia Cup Final. I've been playing with him for the last 8-10 years, toh mujhe pata thha ladka kitna paani mei hai. If there is an opportunity tomorrow, then why not? If he gets to bowl against a quality team (like Australia), his confidence will grow," he said.

Dube has bowled close to 61 overs in his 41 T20Is so far. He has bagged 18 wickets at an average of 30.33 with best figures of 3/4.

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#4 On the team's combination and environment

India played with one frontline pacer in Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik as the fast-bowling all-rounder, and three spinners during the Asia Cup 2025. They had followed a similar template during their series in South Africa as well. Suryakumar Yadav reflected that with similar conditions on offer in Australia, they could go in with a similar combination.

"I don't think that our combination changes too much with conditions. If you see, when we played in South Africa, over there we played one fast bowler, one all-rounder, and three spinners. Conditions are similar over here, some bouncy tracks," he said.

The skipper also reflected that the team was in a good space and in a good atmosphere. He added that they enjoyed during practice as a group and were looking forward.

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#3 On fielding concerns

Known for being among the best fielding sides in the world, India had a tough time during the Asia Cup 2025. They dropped the most catches during the tournament. However, Suryakumar Yadav expressed that it was not a matter of concern as the team put in extra efforts during practice.

"In my opinion, catches do get dropped, it is all a part of the game. Today was an optional session, still most of the guys turned up to work on fielding. So that means that the team is working towards something special. This (Fielding) is a department where I have said before as well that it is something that we need to work hard to be the best fielding unit in the world," he stated.

Against a top-quality side like Australia, on their home soil, India will have to be tight with their fielding if they are to win the series.

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#2 On Shreyas Iyer and Nitish Kumar Reddy's injuries

Shreyas Iyer picked up a severe rub injury while fielding during the third ODI against Australia. He had to leave the field immediately and was taken to the ICU due to internal bleeding. While the batter is under observation of doctors and the BCCI Medical Team, it was learnt that he is recovering well.

Providing a positive update on his situation, Suryakumar Yadav said:

"We spoke to him on the first day when we got to know that he was injured. I had actually called him, then I got to know that he did not have his phone with him. So, I then called out physio, Kamlesh Jain, and he told me that Shreyas is stable. I've been talking to him for the last two days, and he has been replying. If he is replying on the phone, it means that he is stable. The doctor is also there with him, so it is looking good. It is good that he is talking, it is all normal."

Notably, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy also picked up a left quadriceps injury and was ruled out of the third ODI. However, he has resumed training ahead of the T20I series.

"I think he is doing fine. Yesterday he did a bit of running, and batting also in the nets. Today he wanted to take a break as it was an optional practice, but he came to the ground because we had a team meeting and wanted to stay with the group. He looks good."

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#1 Suryakumar Yadav on his form

Suryakumar Yadav's form could be a slight concern for India heading into the T20Is. In the Asia Cup 2025, he managed to score just 72 runs in six innings at an average of 18 and a strike-rate of 101.40. The skipper reflected that he has been working hard and is in a good space.

"I feel like I have been working really hard, before also I was doing it, it is not that I was not working hard. I've had a few good sessions back home, good 2-3 sessions here, so I am in a good space, I think that is really important. Runs, it will come eventually, but working hard towards a team goal, that's more important," he said.

The visitors will want their skipper to regain his form and fire with the bat. It will be a crucial series for Suryakumar Yadav as skipper and as a batter as well.

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Edited by Rishab Vm