Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain, is under intense scrutiny as he heads into the five-match T20I series against Australia, which begins Wednesday in Canberra. Concerns have been raised regarding his recent batting form, despite leading India to victory in the Asia Cup.
Since taking over the T20I captaincy in mid-2024, Yadav's performance with the bat has noticeably declined. In 20 innings as captain, he has only managed to score 330 runs, with just a couple of half-centuries. In the 2025 season, he has scored just 100 runs in 11 innings, with a strike rate just above 105, considered below par for a player of his caliber. In the Asia Cup 2025, Suryakumar only managed 72 runs in seven matches, with a highest score of 47 against Pakistan. This is a stark contrast to his previous dominance when he was the world's top-ranked T20I batter.
Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has publicly addressed the situation, stating that Yadav's extended poor form "will inevitably create internal scrutiny". Nayar emphasized that while team victories can overshadow individual performances, a downturn in results would raise questions about Yadav's position, especially considering his prior status as the number one-ranked T20I batter. Nayar believes that the upcoming Australian tour presents an opportunity for Yadav to regain his form, as the pace and bounce of Australian wickets suit his batting style.
Despite the concerns, Yadav remains focused on the team's goals and maintains a positive outlook. Ahead of the series against Australia, he stated that he has been working hard and is in a good space mentally. He acknowledged the importance of performing the role the team requires in different situations and is focused on taking it one game at a time, trusting that the runs will eventually come.
India's coach, Gautam Gambhir, has also voiced his support for Yadav, defending his aggressive playing style. Gambhir stated that Yadav's batting form doesn't concern him, as the team has committed to an ultra-aggressive approach. He added that it would be easy for Yadav to play cautiously and avoid criticism, but the team has collectively decided that it is acceptable to fail while pursuing this aggressive approach.
Notably, Yadav had an impressive showing in the 2025 IPL, where he scored 717 runs in 16 innings with a striking rate of 167.90 for Mumbai Indians. This demonstrates his capability and potential to score big runs.
While Suryakumar Yadav's recent form has been a cause for concern, he has the backing of the coach and remains focused on contributing to the team's success. The upcoming T20I series against Australia will be a crucial test for the captain, as he looks to silence his critics and regain his form ahead of the T20 World Cup.
