Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has come forward with timely and much-needed advice for India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 draws closer. With the marquee tournament set to begin next month and co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, expectations are high on the Indian captain to rediscover his best form at the right time.
However, Suryakumar’s prolonged slump with the bat has become one of the biggest talking points in world cricket. Not too long ago, Suryakumar Yadav was the undisputed No.1 T20I batter in the world, feared for his 360-degree stroke play and unmatched ability to dominate bowling attacks. But 2025 turned into a forgettable year for the Mumbai batter.
Despite captaining India to several series wins, his individual numbers painted a worrying picture. Across 21 T20Is last year, Suryakumar managed just 218 runs at an average of 13.62 and a strike rate of 123.16 — figures well below the elite standards he has set over the years.
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Speaking at the ICC Review meeting ahead of the T20 World Cup, Ponting admitted he was genuinely surprised by Suryakumar’s struggles. The former World Cup-winning captain highlighted how consistency had always been the Indian batter’s biggest strength in the shortest format.
“That’s as big a surprise for me, just looking at his recent form,” Ricky Ponting said. “He’s been such a solid and consistent contributor for India in T20 cricket for a long time and just hasn’t been able to find it of late.”
Ponting went on to dissect Suryakumar’s batting approach, noting that at his best, the Indian captain doesn’t rush his innings. Instead, he takes a few balls to settle before unleashing his full range of strokes.
“When I’ve seen him play his best, he’s taken six or eight balls to get going and then just lets it all go. He backs himself completely and plays without fear, a bit like Travis Head,” Ricky Ponting explained.
According to Ponting, the key for Suryakumar lies in a subtle but crucial mindset shift — focusing on scoring runs rather than worrying about getting out.
“Think about scoring runs, don’t think about getting out. Trust yourself, back yourself. You’re proven to be as good as anybody in the world in the T20 format,” Ricky Ponting advised.
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Ponting also expressed his surprise at Shubman Gill’s omission from India’s T20 World Cup squad. Gill, who was vice-captain until recently, paid the price for inconsistent white-ball form despite his impressive performances in red-ball cricket.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 begins on February 7, with India opening their campaign against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Before that, a five-match T20I series against New Zealand offers Suryakumar Yadav a golden opportunity to regain rhythm, confidence, and momentum ahead of the biggest tournament of the year.
