Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 6: India captain Suryakumar Yadav on Friday acknowledged that nerves would be inevitable as the hosts open their T20 World Cup campaign in front of over 30,000 passionate home fans at the Wankhede Stadium, but promised “entertainment” for the supporters.

Co-hosts India will kick off their Group A campaign against the United States on Saturday night, with expectations running high as the world’s top-ranked T20 side and defending champions.

“There is always added pressure when you play at home. I’m not running away from that fact,” Suryakumar said ahead of India’s final training session. “To be honest, there will be nerves, there will be pressure, but if you look at the positive side, there will be a lot of cheer around.”

He said the team would look to draw strength from the energy of fans in the stadium and millions watching across the country. “Thirty to thirty-five thousand people will be in the stadium, and so many watching at home. I’ve told my boys the same thing — let’s give them a good time, let’s give them entertainment,” he added.

Suryakumar, however, cautioned against underestimating any opponent, pointing out that the United States had stunned Pakistan in the 2024 edition with a Super Over victory. “I don’t see any weak teams in the competition. All 20 teams are capable of playing good cricket,” he said.

“In this format, one or two batters can change the game, or one or two bowlers can deliver a decisive spell. So we will play the same way we’ve been playing against every team,” the India skipper added.

The captain also expressed concern over the fitness of fast bowler Harshit Rana, who sustained a knee injury during a warm-up match on Wednesday and managed to bowl only one over. “He has not been ruled out yet. The physios are assessing him, but it does not look good,” Suryakumar said. “If we miss him, we will definitely miss him.”