India captain Suryakumar Yadav couldn’t control his laughter during the final draw of the T20 World Cup on Sunday, March 8. Suryakumar was left in splits after the high-energy Ravi Shastri introduced Surya and Mitchell Santner in Formula 1 style.
Shastri challenged Suryakumar Yadav and Mitchell Santner as if they were starting from lanes 1 and 2 in an F1 race, ready to take off at top speed. Shastri, who is a huge Formula 1 fan, may have been watching the Australian Grand Prix in the morning and decided it would be an ideal way to introduce the two captains at the draw.
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Shastri’s antics caused Suryakumar Yadav to burst out laughing as Santner and match referee Andy Pycroft looked on.
On Sunday, India lost the toss and were sent to bat first at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Santner opted to bowl first and hoped that the dew would help them in their run chase in the second innings of the game.
2026 Australian Grand Prix
Much before the toss, Shastri was able to watch the Australian GP in the morning.
Mercedes driver George Russell struck the first blow in the Formula One championship as he claimed an emphatic victory in the opening Australian Grand Prix ahead of team-mate Kimi Antonelli and crushed Ferrari’s first challenge on Sunday.
After dominating qualifying, pole-sitter Russell confirmed Mercedes’ pre-season form with his first win at Albert Park to secure the team’s first Melbourne victory since Valtteri Bottas in 2019.
“I like this car, I like this engine, great job,” Russell said on team radio.
“Great job everyone, it’s been a long, long time to have this car under us.
The Briton, who benefited from an early tire change, finished almost three seconds clear of Italian Antonelli, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in third losing more than 15 seconds after his team’s tire strategy failed.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
08 March 2026 19:11 IST
