India began their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on a confident note with a 29-run win over the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The victory has set the tone for the Suryakumar Yadav-led side, who will now look to build momentum when they face Namibia in their second Group A fixture in New Delhi on February 12.

With the tournament moving quickly, India are keen to stamp their authority early in the group stage. Ahead of the clash, Suryakumar Yadav opened up about India’s strong run in T20 cricket over the last 18 months and why he believes this team has what it takes to defend the title they won in 2024.

The Indian captain pointed to a clear shift in mindset within the squad, where personal milestones have taken a back seat to collective success. According to him, this team-first approach has been central to India’s consistency and fearless brand of cricket in the shortest format.

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“If you prioritise team goals ahead of personal milestones, more often than not the team stays in a dominant position,” Suryakumar Kumar said on JioStar’s ‘Follow the Blues’. “The only thing that can stop us is ourselves — if we overanalyse or slip into a negative mindset. This group is fully prepared for the T20 World Cup, and I genuinely don’t see a reason why we can’t go all the way.”

Suryakumar also stressed the importance of creating an open and honest environment within the dressing room. He believes that freedom of expression and trust in each other’s instincts allow players to perform without fear, which has reflected in India’s impressive win percentage over the past two years.

“Honesty and freedom of speech are essential in a team sport. Listening to each other brings different perspectives, and giving players the freedom to play their natural game helps maintain a healthy team atmosphere,” he added.

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India are placed in Group A alongside the USA, Pakistan, Namibia and the Netherlands. With a strong start already in the bag, the focus will be on staying grounded and maintaining momentum as the pressure of the T20 World Cup gradually builds.