IndiaT20I captain Suryakumar Yadav Faced questions about his prolonged batting 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. Scored only 12 runs on 11 balls before falling lungi ngidiSuryakumar continued his lackluster performance in 21 T20I innings, with only two notable scores, 75 against Bangladesh and 47 not out against Pakistan, breaking an otherwise consistent record. His 2025 T20I average dropped to 14.20, highlighting the challenges against fast bowling at a strike rate below 126.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav reacts to criticism over T20I decline
Suryakumar dismissed form concerns after the match, emphasizing quick net practice and confidence in the impending turnaround.
,I am batting brilliantly in the nets. When runs have to come, they will come. Not out of form, definitely out of run” he said during the post-match presentation.
He praised the team’s resilience after the defeat in the second T20I in Mullanpur, crediting the Cuttack win for the return to basics, productive bowler meetings and honest discussions that fueled the comeback.
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Suryakumar’s toughest T20I phase
The decline in Suryakumar’s T20I production during 2025 is much steeper than his historical peak, where he maintained a career-best rating of 912 points. In the current calendar year, his numbers have dropped to a paltry average of 14.2 in 18 innings, with the strike rate falling from his usual 170+ range to 125.29.
Suryakumar, once the undisputed world number one in this format, is currently going through the most challenging statistical slump of his international career. Throughout 2025, the batsman formerly known as “Mr. 360” has struggled to replicate the explosive, game-changing innings that became his trademark between 2021 and 2023. This slump has been particularly evident during the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, where he has registered scores of 12, 5 and 12, failing to provide the middle-order inspiration that India expected.
While he remains a tactical asset as a leader, having recently led India to the Asia Cup T20 title, the gap between his record-breaking IPL 2025 form and his international output has raised concerns among experts and fans. As the next T20 World Cup approaches, the pressure is mounting on the captain to regain his rhythm and appease the growing scrutiny over his batting consistency.
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