For Suryakumar Yadav, India is more than the blue jersey he wears on the cricket field. It is the weight of millions of dreams that he carries every time he steps onto the field, and now, a deeply personal hope for the country his daughter Riddhima will grow up in. This has been a milestone-filled year for the cricketer fondly known as SKY. As captain, he led India to a T20 World Cup triumph, while off the field, he stepped into a new chapter as father of a baby girl. So, as India celebrates its 80th Independence Day, it felt fitting to have SKY hold the tricolour for an exclusive shoot with Bombay Times. He speaks about a country that, in his eyes, is becoming more fearless — and one that is no longer waiting for a seat at the table but is building its own. Read on…
Suryakumar Yadav for Independence DayPC: Prathamesh Bhandekar
‘When you play for your country, it’s a completely different emotion’SKY has represented India across formats, after making his mark in domestic and franchise cricket. But he admits that wearing the blue jersey carries a responsibility that goes well beyond the game. The World Cup victory only made that feeling more profound. He explains. “It’s a special feeling to represent India. I’ve played a lot of local cricket, domestic cricket, and then I’ve played franchise cricket as well. But when you play for India, it’s a completely different emotion. You’re not just wearing that blue jersey; you’re carrying emotions and love of so many people in India who support you. Every time when you run, every time you take that catch, it’s not for yourself anymore. It’s for every kid’s dream. After winning the World Cup this year, I think it hit completely differently. That’s when you realise that representing India means carrying the dreams of several Indians on your back. It changes you completely. You stop playing for the stats, you stop playing for records,” he says.
Suryakumar Yadav for Independence DayPC: Prathamesh Bhandekar
‘India is no longer asking for a seat at the table; we’re building our own table’SKY sees a shift in India’s attitude towards ambition. “I love seeing this shift—whether it’s in business and startups, technology and space, cinema, or sport. The India of today seems more fearless. Earlier, the mindset across all these fields was to play, not to lose, and not to fail. But now, we want to succeed; we want to play to win. You can even see this shift in cricket—from the 2011 World Cup to 2024, when we won the trophy, and now in 2026 as well. You can see it everywhere. India is no longer asking for a seat at the table; we’re building our own table,” he explains.‘I hope my daughter grows up in a more inclusive and confident India’Fatherhood has given SKY a more personal reason to think about the country’s future. His vision for India extends beyond cricket and sporting success. He wants children, irrespective of where they come from, to feel that their ambitions have no ceiling. “When my daughter grows up, I hope she lives in an India that’s really confident, extremely inclusive and the best at everything. An India where kids from small towns can dream big without any limits. If you see, India is leading in science, sport, art and so many other fields,” he says.
