India men’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed strong confidence that Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian team will continue their dominance over Pakistan in women’s ODIs. They extended their unbeaten streak to 12-0 at the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in Colombo on Sunday.
Speaking to JioStar ahead of the much-anticipated encounter, Suryakumar stated, “Women’s cricket is playing a different brand of cricket from the last 1-2 years, as I can see. They are already playing well. But against Pakistan, I think they have been playing some good cricket. If they continue as they have been doing, then I am sure mission 12-0 will happen if we play good cricket, and our entire focus will be on cricket.”
He revealed that he recently spoke to captain Harmanpreet Kaur, praising the team’s preparation and spirit.
“I spoke to the captain 2-3 days ago, that her campaign has started well and everyone is looking in good shape. They also had a good camp here in the Centre of Excellence before the World Cup,” he asserted. “When the mood is good in the camp, when everyone creates a good culture in the camp, then matches and victories actually become a by-product. My stand will never change on that.”
Dismissing the idea of a rivalry with Pakistan, the Indian skipper explained, “Because, I will say it again, if you talk about rivalry, then rivalry is when you play 12 games and it’s a 6-all or 7-5 or something like that. But 11-0, I think, is not a rivalry. If the women’s team also focuses completely on playing good cricket today, then I am sure it will be 12-0.”
Deepti Sharma Backed as X-Factor
Asked about his pick for a standout performer, Suryakumar tipped Deepti Sharma as the game-changer.
“I am a batsman, but I always think that an all-rounder’s role is very important in a team. If an all-rounder can’t do it with a bat, then he/ she gets an opportunity to do it with a ball,” he noted.
Suryakumar Yadav further added, “So, I feel Deepti Sharma maybe can be an x-factor today with the ball, with the bat. And the rest, I would like everyone to contribute from start to end. But I am sure, according to me, Deepti Sharma may be the player of the match today.”
Smriti Mandhana Hailed for Consistency
He also hailed Smriti Mandhana as India’s most consistent performer, especially after her record-breaking 63-ball 125 against Australia in New Delhi last month.
“When you are a home nation and play in your own country, then there is always pressure on you. But at the same time, we have played so many matches in India in front of the Indian crowd, so there is always good support and help,” Suryakumar Yadav noted.
“But at the same time, everyone, including Smriti Mandhana, I think she has been batting beautifully. Most consistent performer for India. And if she continues, then I think it will be everyone’s contribution,” he further added. “It’s a good occasion for everyone to chip in, have some runs and then go on in this tournament. So, I am sure it will require a complete team effort in this game today and then obviously going forward in this tournament.”
Positive Energy Ahead of Women’s World Cup Campaign
Urging fans to support the side, Suryakumar added, “I am very positive this year. The way the women’s team is playing their cricket. The way the mood in the camp is because I still remember when I was injured a few months back, and I was at the Centre of Excellence BCCI at Bangalore.”
“They had a beautiful camp of I think 15-17 days, and I could feel that, and I told the coach as well and also the captain that I feel it’s a different feeling this year,” he further remarked.
Reflecting on India’s recent Asia Cup triumph, Suryakumar concluded, “It was my birthday that day (on group stage game day). So, I knew that I could get a little gift from God. And I got it that day as well.”
“Because we had thought that we would play a good brand of cricket, which we have been doing since the tournament. We did that. And we played good cricket that day and the other two Sundays as well. And we were victorious,” he concluded.
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