IPL 2026 | 'Pehle Rohit bhai, phir Dhoni bhai ... ': Suryakumar Yadav reveals story behind iconic pic - WATCH

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.

"Iconic picture humne dekha aapne poocha bola bhi ki aapko group ka DP to mil gaya hai lekin naam nahi mila kuch suggestion aaye kaisa tha wo moment dekhiye mere liye to dream come true tha kyunki jab main maine socha tha ki main India ke liye cup cricket khelunga, kab matches jitaunga but aap ye bhi nahi sochte ho ki aapko 1 opportunity milegi kabhi India ko lead karne ki but wo bhi 1 opportunity mujhe India, India ko lead karne mili aur bhagwan ki daya se aur dua se opportunity mili India mein lead karne ki. [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.

"Hum log jeete, wo wo tournament India mein, Ahmedabad mein Narendra Modi Stadium mein jeete, jahan pe hum twenty twenty three mein nahi jeet paaye the to I think mere liye, wo hamesha saath mein rahegi, wo memory bahut precious moment tha mere liye I am sure poore poore India ke liye aur all Indians across the world sabke liye raha hoga to it was special moment [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.