Suryakumar Yadav, a mainstay in India's T20I squad, is facing a concerning slump in form, prompting advice from cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar. As India prepares for crucial upcoming matches, including the Asia Cup 2025 final, the spotlight is on Suryakumar's recent struggles and the impact on the team's batting dynamics.

Gavaskar has openly addressed Suryakumar's difficulties, particularly during the Asia Cup 2025. The former Indian captain and commentator pointed out the team's batting order changes and Suryakumar's inability to score runs consistently. Gavaskar criticized Suryakumar's shot selection, suggesting a need for a more cautious approach early in his innings. "You yourself, as captain, have not scored runs in the previous game. It is important for the captain to come in and get a few runs," Gavaskar stated, emphasizing the importance of Suryakumar finding his rhythm. He specifically addressed Suryakumar's tendency to get out playing the same shot, advising him to refrain from it until he gets a better feel for the surface.

Adding to the critique, Gavaskar advised Suryakumar to "keep this shot in cold storage". This advice came after Suryakumar's dismissal against South Africa, highlighting the need to reassess his approach.

The statistics paint a worrying picture of Suryakumar's form. Since taking over as captain, his batting average has declined from 43.40 to 26.82, and his strike rate has also decreased. In his 27 matches as captain, he has managed 617 runs in 25 innings, including one century and four fifties, a noticeable drop from his pre-captaincy record. In 2025, he holds the lowest average among Indian batters in T20Is, with just 12.43 runs per innings. The recent match marked his tenth single-digit score in the last 20 games since the T20 World Cup 2024, further highlighting his inconsistency.

Gavaskar also expressed his disapproval of the changes in the batting order, particularly the decision to promote Shivam Dube to number three against Bangladesh. He argued that such changes could disrupt the team's rhythm and that a finisher like Dube is better suited to a lower position. Gavaskar suggested that Suryakumar should have focused on his own performance and weaknesses instead of experimenting with the batting order.

Despite the criticism, Gavaskar acknowledged Suryakumar's class and potential. He advised him to take a few deliveries to assess the conditions before playing his natural game. "All I would say is that, you know, if he gives, he should give himself maybe three or four deliveries out in the middle to get a sense of what's happening," Gavaskar said.

Suryakumar's form is crucial for India's success, especially with the Asia Cup 2025 final approaching. While the team has secured victories, his inconsistent performances have raised concerns. The team hopes the skipper can bounce back to form and lead the team effectively. As Gavaskar noted, the recent tough match against Sri Lanka served as a "good wake-up call" for the team, highlighting the need to address these issues before the final.