Only two journalists had turned up for the news conference on the eve of the first India-Australia T20I in Visakhapatnam. Such a scene must have surprised captain Suryakumar Yadav, but he’s more concerned with the task lying ahead in view of the T20 World Cup next June in the Caribbean and the United States.

Surya seems quite clear about his focus going into the T20I series beginning on Thursday. He wants the young players in this Indian squad to be selfless and fearless.

“I met the squad today (Wednesday) afternoon. I told them, ‘Let’s be selfless when you go on to the field’. I am a guy who doesn’t think about personal milestones. I have told them to keep the team ahead of everything,” Surya, leading India in the absence of KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya, emphasised.

“Keeping the (2024) T20 World Cup in mind, all these games we are going to play are very important. And I want us to be fearless.

“Besides, these guys have been doing so in the IPL. They have played a lot of domestic cricket as well recently. So they are in good nick, which I have heard from our support staff.”

Jitesh Sharma, who has impressed for Punjab Kings in the IPL, is also in the squad as keeper-batter along with Ishan Kishan. Although Surya termed both of them as “frontrunners” for the designated task, Kishan may get the nod because of continuity as well as his international experience.

“Ishan has been doing well, and we wanted to keep continuity. He has been doing really well for us, including in the Asia Cup and the World Cup, batting in different positions.

“We will take a call later,” Surya said.

Sunday’s ODI World Cup final loss to Australia was disappointing. But what stood out for Surya was the “positive brand of cricket” India played right through the tournament.

“All of India and our families were proud of the way everyone displayed their talent on the ground. We played a positive brand of cricket and we’re very proud of that.”