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HomeLatest NewsIND vs SA 2025: Suryakumar Yadav & Gautam Gambhir Visit Jagannath Puri Temple Ahead of T20I Series

IND vs SA 2025: Suryakumar Yadav & Gautam Gambhir Visit Jagannath Puri Temple Ahead of T20I Series

Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir visit to the Jagannath Puri Temple

Spiritual Start Before a Crucial Series

Just hours before the first T20I against South Africa, India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir paid a spiritual visit to the Jagannath Puri Temple on Tuesday morning. With a packed international season ahead, the gesture reflected a quest for calmness and blessings before India begin their five-match T20I campaign in Cuttack. So Let’s take a look at Suryakumar Yadav Gambhir visit to the Jagannath Puri Temple.

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Suryakumar was accompanied by his wife Devisha Shetty, while several squad members—including Tilak Varma and support staff—were also present. Local news visuals showed heavy security in place, ensuring the team’s visit remained smooth and uninterrupted.

Senior district officials, OCA representatives, and BCCI members were stationed at the venue, highlighting the significance of the team’s arrival and the preparations underway for the series opener.

Focus Shifts to T20 Cricket Ahead of World Cup 2026

With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 less than a year away, India’s priorities have shifted sharply toward refining their T20 plans. For head coach Gambhir, the upcoming South Africa series is a crucial testing ground for roles, combinations, and batting intent—especially at the top and middle order.

No player is under more scrutiny at the moment than Suryakumar Yadav himself.

Suryakumar Yadav Eyes Return to Form

Despite being one of the most explosive T20 batters in the world—with 2,754 runs at a strike rate of 164.41—Suryakumar has endured a lean patch in 2025. He has gone 21 T20Is without a fifty, his last half-century coming in October 2024 against Bangladesh.

While he has produced occasional flashes—such as a composed 47* against Pakistan—he hasn’t delivered the big innings India need from their captain.

With only 10 T20Is remaining before the World Cup, the South Africa series is a golden opportunity for SKY to:

  • Rediscover his rhythm

  • Lead from the front

  • Reinforce his spot as India’s match-winner

  • Inspire confidence in a young squad

Facing a full-strength Proteas lineup featuring David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Donovan Ferreira, India’s challenge will be intense from the very first game.

FAQs

1. When is the first IND vs SA T20I?

The opening match of the five-game series will be played on December 9 in Cuttack.

2. Why did Suryakumar Yadav visit Jagannath Temple?

The visit was for spiritual blessings and a calm start ahead of a crucial T20I series.

3. Is Suryakumar Yadav’s form concerning?

He hasn’t scored a fifty in 21 matches, but the upcoming series offers him a great opportunity to return to form.

4. Is South Africa playing with a full-strength squad?

Yes, key players like David Miller and Tristan Stubbs are part of the squad.

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