Suryakumar_Yadav (PC:X)
What does it feel like to watch Suryakumar Yadav at his very best in T20 cricket? Perhaps it requires a willing suspension of disbelief while witnessing his 360-degree strokeplay. In some ways, he evokes memories of the all-conquering Rajinikanth, larger than life, seemingly invincible, in the shortest format of the game.
Unfortunately, those glorious days now largely belong to highlight reels on Instagram. That version of Suryakumar has been replaced by a far more mortal-looking one. The India captain in T20Is is struggling to rediscover his rhythm, and the numbers underline the concern. The India skipper in the shortest format of the game averages a mere 13.27 in his last 24 T20Is.
So, what could be the reasons behind Suryakumar’s decline? The enterprising batter is now 35 and has also undergone sports hernia surgery this year. Perhaps his body and reflexes are slowing down ever so slightly. Or is it the pressure of expectation, leading him to overreach while attempting his trademark shots? Some of his mistimed whips and pick-up shots suggest that anxiety may be playing a role.
The India captain, however, does not believe he is out of form. “I’ve been hitting the ball really well in practice. The runs will come when the time is right. I’m not out of form, I’m just out of runs,” Suryakumar said during the post-match presentation after the first T20I. It is worth noting that the writer can vouch for the fact that Suryakumar spent long hours in the nets during the 2025 Asia Cup. The effort has been evident; the returns, however, have not followed.
This leads to the bigger question: should India leave out Suryakumar from the T20I side? The old adage resurfaces, first pick the XI, then the captain. Suryakumar will be acutely aware that leadership cannot compensate for a prolonged absence of runs.
The Indian selectors thus find themselves in a classic catch-22 situation. Logic, however, suggests continuity. With the World Cup on the horizon, it may not make much sense to tinker with leadership, especially when India are not a losing side under Suryakumar. For now, faith in the captain appears to outweigh the weight of numbers, but time is clearly running out.
