"Pressure Is For Crowd, Not Surya": Childhood Coach On Captain's Ice-Cold Temperament For Final The stage is set for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad, where India faces New Zealand in a high-stakes clash. With over 130,000 fans expected to fill the Narendra Modi Stadium, the focus remains on the Indian team’s preparation and mindset. Ashok Aswalkar, the childhood coach of captain Suryakumar Yadav, has spoken about the captain’s composure under pressure and the strategies that could determine the outcome of the match. Aswalkar, who has guided Surya since his early days, emphasized that the captain’s natural leadership and dedication have been key to his success. He recalled how Surya often took charge during practice sessions, ensuring discipline among teammates even when he was preoccupied with other responsibilities. This same leadership quality, Aswalkar said, is evident in Surya’s performance on the field, where he remains unaffected by the intensity of the final. The coach dismissed concerns about pressure, stating that Surya’s temperament has always been steady. “He plays well and doesn’t get affected by pressure,” Aswalkar said, noting that the Indian team’s history of performing under pressure would serve them well against New Zealand. He also highlighted the need for tactical adjustments, particularly in the bowling order, following Varun Chakravarthy’s strong performance in the semifinal. Aswalkar warned against overemphasizing individual opponents, stressing that the team must treat the entire New Zealand squad as a collective challenge. “Focusing on one player could disrupt the overall game,” he said, adding that the Indian team is prepared to face any strategy the opposition throws at them.#new_zealand #icc_men_s_t20_world_cup #suryakumar_yadav #narendra_modi_stadium #ashok_aswalkar
