In a blend of faith and cricket, the Indian team arrived at the revered Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram ahead of their final T20I against New Zealand. The visit underscores the players’ deep-rooted traditions as they eye a commanding series victory at Greenfield International Stadium.

Suryakumar Yadav, the dynamic captain, was accompanied by key players including Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Ravi Bishnoi. Clad in traditional veshtis, they participated in rituals, drawing inspiration from the temple’s spiritual aura.

Echoing recent practices, the team had visited Simhachalam Temple in Andhra Pradesh before the previous match. Coach Gautam Gambhir continues to lead by example, having offered prayers at prominent shrines like Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain and Kamarakhya in Guwahati.

India’s series performance has been stellar post their ODI setback. A 48-run win in the opener set the tone, with comfortable seven-wicket and eight-wicket victories in the next two games clinching the series. New Zealand’s 50-run success in the fourth provided some respite, yet India remains favorites for a 4-1 finish.

Leading the batting with 179 runs, Suryakumar’s consistency, alongside Abhishek Sharma’s 152 and Ishan Kishan’s 112, highlights the depth in India’s top order.

As preparations intensify for the 2026 T20 World Cup—where India faces Pakistan, USA, Namibia, and Netherlands in Group A—this series serves as a perfect tune-up. Their campaign begins February 7 against the USA, promising high-stakes action.