Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian captain, faces a crucial opportunity to conclude the South Africa series on a positive note, as the final T20I approaches on December 19, 2025. The match in Ahmedabad presents a chance for him to regain his form and silence critics after a string of underwhelming performances.
Yadav's recent struggles have become a significant talking point, with his average dipping below his usual standards. In 14 T20Is in 2025, he has only managed to score 201 runs, averaging 14.36 with a strike rate of 126.42, a noticeable decline from his career figures. He has not recorded a half-century in over a year, dating back to October 2024. During the third T20I against South Africa in Dharamshala, he scored just 12 runs. Despite the pressure, Yadav remains optimistic, stating, "I've been batting beautifully in the nets. When the runs have to come, they'll definitely come. I'm not out of form, but definitely out of runs".
Shivam Dube has voiced strong support for Suryakumar Yadav, emphasizing his potential to single-handedly win matches. Dube's support comes at a crucial time, recognizing Yadav as a match-winner whose value to the team extends beyond his current scores. He stated that a temporary dip in form does not diminish the captain's overall value to the squad, noting that his impact on the game often transcends what is visible in the scorecards.
India's assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, also expressed faith in Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill to return to form. Ten Doeschate wants the duo to shut out the noise and bat positively. He added that the team is backing quality players and quality leaders like Suryakumar Yadav.
The Indian team has shown resilience throughout the series. After a defeat in the second T20I, the team regrouped and bounced back with a victory in the third. Suryakumar Yadav emphasized the importance of learning from setbacks and highlighted the team's focus on strategy and teamwork. In the third T20I, India crushed South Africa to take a 2-1 lead in the T20 series. The fourth T20I in Lucknow was abandoned.
As the T20 World Cup approaches in early 2026, it is crucial for Suryakumar Yadav to rediscover his form. The team would want their leader and premier batter to rediscover his rhythm sooner rather than later. The final match against South Africa provides him with an ideal platform to regain his confidence and momentum.
