NEW DELHI: Just ahead of the IPL 2026 clash between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Suryakumar Yadav shared a picture on social media with Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni. He captioned it, "Group DP mil gaya; bas group name suggest karo (I have got the perfect display picture for the group; just suggest some strong group names)," inviting fans to come up with a name for the trio's group.
Fans were thrilled to see three T20 World Cup-winning captains in one frame and flooded social media with their suggestions. Among the many responses, the Board of Control for Cricket in India grabbed attention by quoting Surya's post and suggesting a unique name: "The CUP-TAANS."
After CSK won the match, Surya was invited by the broadcasters and spoke about the moment. "We saw that iconic picture—you even asked and said that you got the group DP but not the name, and there were some suggestions. What was that moment like? For me, it was a dream come true because when I had thought that I would play cup cricket for India and win matches, you don't even think that you will ever get an opportunity to lead India. But I got that one opportunity to lead India, and by God's grace and blessings, I got the chance to lead India," Surya said.
India defeated New Zealand national cricket team in the 2026 T20 World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on March 8, 2026. India posted 255/5 and then bowled New Zealand out for 159 to clinch the title. Surya became the third Indian captain to win the T20 World Cup, after MS Dhoni in 2007 and Rohit Sharma in 2024.
"We won that tournament in India, in Ahmedabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium, where we couldn't win in 2023. So I think for me, that will always stay with me—that memory was a very precious moment for me. I am sure it must have been the same for all of India and for Indians across the world, so it was a special moment," he said.
"After that, when we were playing the first game against Chennai on Kede, it came to my mind that if this picture could happen—with the captains who had earlier won the T20 World Cup for India, the one who won in 2024 also being there, and if we win in 2026 and I am there too—then I thought if we could create that photo, it would be a special memory for me for a lifetime and obviously for everyone," Surya added.
"So I thought when I came here yesterday in Chennai, there was a possibility—I got that 1 percent chance. I first went and asked Rohit bhai, then Rohit bhai spoke, then I asked Mahi bhai as well. It felt good to ask them, and both of them said yes. So I didn't wait for a moment—I said let's quickly take that photo in the morning. It's very, very special," he added.
Stay updated with the latest IPL Live Score, IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL Schedule, check the IPL Points Table, and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple Cap.
