Be it in Barbados lifting the T20 World Cup or putting up a masterclass of 117 off 55 balls in England, Indian cricketer and former World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav has often had to spend days like Independence Day on the road, shores away from home. Yet, SKY, as he is fondly called, has ensured he never misses out on the patriotism: “This is a little secret, wherever I might be in the world, there is always a Tiranga with me.
It is in my kit bag,” says Surya
If travelling with the team, we do a small celebration at the hotel. The feeling is the same wherever I am and is unmatched. Just that pure feeling of unity. And then winning the World Cup as Captain at home this year. Many moments make me proud to be an Indian, but on these two days, I felt that we made India proud.”
For the 35-year-old, Independence Day holds the same charm now as it did growing up, “As a kid in Mumbai, it was about going to school, being part of the flag hoisting ceremony and feasting on sweets with my friends. Ask him about that one day or moment in which he felt most proud to be an Indian, and he points to two: “The 2024 T20 World Cup final, the crowd in Barbados with Tirangas in hand were all singing for India; we players were crying, as were the Indians in the stands. Today, if I home, we hoist the flag in the building with family and watch the speech from the Red Fort.
