Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20I captain, and head coach Gautam Gambhir paid a visit to the historic Jagannath Puri Temple on Tuesday morning, only hours before the first T20I of the five-match series against South Africa. Tilak Varma and many members of the support crew joined them for the spiritual visit, which came ahead of the demanding international itinerary.
Suryakumar Yadav was seen seeking blessings at the Srimandir with his wife, Devisha Shetty, and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, according to footage released by local news channel OTV.
Notably, it looked that the team management had communicated with local authorities ahead of time to avoid disruptions and assure a smooth darshan. Heavy security was in place around the temple to regulate the crowd and enable the players’ mobility.
During the visit, senior officials, including the Puri district SP and Collector, were joined by members from the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The presence of major governmental leaders emphasised the importance of the team’s arrival in the region and ensured that all logistical needs were addressed.
With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 drawing closer, India’s focus will gradually shift away from Tests and ODIs to refining their approach in the shortest format. One of the most important figures in India’s campaign will undoubtedly be Suryakumar, who has been exceptional in T20Is, amassing 2,754 runs in 89 innings at a strike rate of 164.41, including four centuries.
However, 2025 has been a challenging year for the 35-year-old. He has gone 21 matches without a fifty, having batted 18 times during that period. His last half-century came against Bangladesh in October 2024, when he struck an impressive 75 off 35 balls. Since then, his best performance has been an unbeaten 47 off 37 deliveries against Pakistan during the Asia Cup.
With only 10 T20Is remaining before the mega event on home soil, Suryakumar will be determined to rediscover his best form and lead from the front. A strong showing would not only boost his confidence but also provide a psychological lift to the entire dressing room. The first T20I is set to happen in Cuttack, with a full-strength South African side, including David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Donovan Ferreira, ready for action.
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