India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has come out in firm defence of his form amid growing scrutiny over his struggles with the bat in 2025. With expectations sky-high after his rise as one of the most destructive batters in world cricket, the Mumbai-born star has found himself under the spotlight following a lean run in the shortest format.
However, Suryakumar insists that the numbers don’t tell the full story and remains confident that a turnaround is just around the corner. Statistically, the concerns are hard to ignore. In 2025, Suryakumar is averaging just 14.2 in T20Is, a figure that places him among the lowest performers in a calendar year for India, with only Axar Patel averaging fewer runs among players with at least 10 innings.
More strikingly, no captain from a full-member nation has scored over 200 T20I runs in a year while averaging lower than Suryakumar, underlining the rarity of this slump at the top level. That said, context matters. Suryakumar’s batting position has been in constant flux, often dictated by team combinations and tactical experimentation.
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These frequent changes have disrupted his rhythm, and at times, he has looked a shadow of the batter who once dominated bowling attacks across formats. Yet, the captain remains unfazed. Speaking after India’s seven-wicket win over South Africa in the third T20I in Dharamshala, where he scored 12 off 11 balls, Suryakumar struck an optimistic tone.
“I’ve been batting beautifully in the nets,” he said at the post-match presentation. “I’m trying everything that’s in my control. When the game comes, and when the runs have to come, they will come. I’m not out of form, but yes, I’m definitely out of runs.”
Crucially for Suryakumar, India’s results have largely gone their way under his leadership. While the team is still evolving and doesn’t yet look like an unstoppable force, it has responded well under pressure. The bounce-back win in Himachal came on the back of a heavy defeat in Mullanpur, highlighting the group’s resilience.
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Reflecting on the comeback, Suryakumar stressed the importance of simplicity. He revealed that the team went back to basics after learning hard lessons in Chandigarh, with focused meetings, collective bowling discussions, and disciplined practice sessions helping India rediscover its rhythm. For the skipper, patience, process, and perspective remain the keys to navigating this challenging phase.
