India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has expressed his gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his encouraging words to the team following their heartbreaking loss to Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023 Final. In a BCCI video, Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged the significance of PM Modi’s visit to the dressing room after the World Cup Final, describing it as a profound gesture.
“Following the loss, we were gathered in the dressing room when our country’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji, entered and addressed each of us. He delivered a motivational speech, reminding us that sports involve both victories and defeats, and that ups and downs are inevitable. He urged us to embrace the loss and move forward. His 5-6 minute speech was truly inspiring. As a nation’s leader, taking the time to visit the dressing room and uplift a sports team is a remarkable act. We listened attentively to his words and spent valuable time with him,” Suryakumar Yadav stated.
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Australia, led by Pat Cummins, defeated India by six wickets in the finals, shattering the dreams of millions of Indians who had hoped for the title’s return after 12 years.
Following India’s loss, PM Modi, who was present at the stadium for the summit clash, offered words of encouragement to the dejected Indian team in their dressing room. Suryakumar Yadav also expressed his appreciation for the unwavering support of the fans.
“It’s been four to five days since the World Cup 2023 finals, and everyone is disheartened, including ourselves. It was heartwarming to witness the unwavering support from our fans in India and around the world. At the end of the day, it’s a sport that teaches us a lot. Please continue to shower us with your love,” Suryakumar Yadav remarked.
Throughout the tournament, Indian fans had turned out in droves, filling stadiums whenever and wherever the Indian team played. India had a remarkable run to the final, winning 10 consecutive matches, a record for the Indian side in the ODI format. However, their winning streak was halted by the Australians, who became the six-time World Champions in the ODI format.
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Suryakumar Yadav remains optimistic that the team will perform well in the upcoming T20 World Cup in June next year and assures that the team will give their all to finally claim the coveted title. The tournament is scheduled to be jointly hosted by the Caribbean islands and the United States of America.
“We’ll strive to perform well in upcoming tournaments. Another ICC tournament is approaching next year, and we’ll compete with the same enthusiasm and hope to emerge victorious,” Suryakumar Yadav asserted.
Suryakumar Yadav is currently leading the Indian team in the five-match T20I series against Australia. The young Indian team will seek to maintain their winning momentum from the first match as they prepare for the second T20I in Thiruvananthapuram.
