Ahead of the first T20I against New Zealand on Wednesday, India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has struck a confident and composed tone despite enduring a lean patch in the shortest format. The dynamic right-hander had a difficult run in T20Is through 2025, managing just 218 runs from 19 innings across 21 matches. With an average of 13.62 and a highest score of 47 not out, the numbers reflect a rare dip for one of India’s most explosive white-ball batters.
However, Suryakumar made it clear that form alone will not force him to abandon the approach that has defined his success over the last few years. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the Indian skipper revealed that he is striking the ball cleanly in the nets and believes runs are only a matter of time.
Rather than chasing quick fixes, he is determined to stay true to his attacking identity, which has made him one of the most feared batters in world cricket.
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“Every game in a series is important because we try to take something positive from it,” Suryakumar Yadav said. “I’ve been batting really well in the nets. The runs will come, but I don’t want to change my identity. What has worked for me over the past three or four years, I want to continue doing that. If it works, great. If not, I’ll go back to the drawing board, work harder, and come back stronger.”
Ahead of the T20 World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav said his focus remains on the team’s performance over individual form. 🗣️#INDvNZ #T20Is #Cricket #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/U4Vc84x2at
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) January 21, 2026
The India captain also addressed the challenge of injuries within the squad, with Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar ruled out of the opening phase of the series. While acknowledging their importance to the team’s balance, Suryakumar stressed that injuries are an unavoidable part of professional sport and often open doors for others to prove their worth.
“Injuries are something no one can control,” he explained. “Of course, we’ll miss Tilak and Washington because they’ve contributed a lot whenever they’ve played in this format. But at the same time, someone else will get an opportunity, and that’s how the team moves forward.”
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As India prepare to kick off their T20I series against New Zealand, Suryakumar Yadav’s calm leadership and belief in his method could be crucial, both for his own revival and for setting the tone ahead of a busy season leading into the T20 World Cup.
