IndiaT20I captain Suryakumar Yadav faced questions about his long innings struggles during the third T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala, where India won by seven wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Just 12 runs off 11 balls before falling Good luckSuryakumar extended his lean run to 21 T20I innings, with only two notable scores, 75 against Bangladesh and an unbeaten 47 against Pakistan, breaking another consecutive record. His T20I average in 2025 fell to 14.20, highlighting the challenges of bowling at a pace below 126.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav reacts to criticism of T20I slump
Suryakumar refers to the post-game situation, highlighting his sharp net practice and belief in an imminent comeback.
“I played well in the nets. The runs will come when they are supposed to. Not in shape, definitely out of the running“, he said during the post-match presentation.
He hailed the team’s resilience after their second T20I defeat in Mullanpur, citing the back to basics from the Cuttack win, productive bowler meetings and honest discussions that fueled the comeback.
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Suryakumar’s toughest T20I innings
The decline in Suryakumar’s T20I production through 2025 is stark compared to his historic peak, when he maintained his career-best rating of 912. In the current calendar year, his numbers have dropped to an average of 14.2 in 18 innings with a strike rate dropping from his usual 170+ range to a more subdued 125.29.
Suryakumar, once the undisputed world number one in the format, is currently experiencing the worst statistical slump of his international career. Throughout 2025, the batsman formerly known as “Mr. 360” struggled to replicate the explosive, game-changing innings that became his trademark between 2021 and 2023. This decline was particularly evident during the ongoing T20I series against South Africa. India has a boost waiting for it.
Although he remains tactically active as a leader, the disconnect between his record-breaking IPL 2025 form and his international performance, while recently guiding India to the Asia Cup T20 title, has raised concerns among pundits and fans alike. With the next T20 World Cup fast approaching, the pressure is on for the captain to rediscover his rhythm and silence the growing scrutiny over the batting order.
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