India‘s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav faced questions about his prolonged batting struggles during the third T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala, where India secured a seven-wicket victory to lead the five-match series 2-1. Scoring just 12 off 11 balls before falling to Lungi Ngidi, Suryakumar extended his lean run across 21 T20I innings, with only two notable scores, a 75 against Bangladesh and an unbeaten 47 versus Pakistan, disrupting an otherwise consistent record. His 2025 T20I average dipped to 14.20, highlighting challenges against pace bowling at a strike rate below 126.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav reacts to criticism over T20I slump
Suryakumar dismissed form concerns post-match, emphasizing sharp net practice and confidence in an imminent turnaround.
“I’ve been batting beautifully in the nets. When the runs have to come, they’ll come. Not out of form, definitely out of runs,” he stated during the post-match presentation.
He praised the team’s resilience after the second T20I loss in Mullanpur, crediting a return to basics from the Cuttack win, productive bowler meetings, and honest discussions that fuelled the comeback.
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Suryakumar’s toughest T20I phase
The drop in Suryakumar’s T20I production throughout 2025 is stark when compared to his historic peak where he maintained a career-best rating of 912 points. In the current calendar year, his numbers have plummeted to a mediocre average of 14.2 across 18 innings, with a strike rate that has dipped from his usual 170+ range to a more restrained 125.29.
Suryakumar, once the undisputed world number one in the format, is currently navigating the most challenging statistical slump of his international career. Throughout 2025, the batter formerly known as “Mr. 360” has struggled to replicate the explosive, game-changing innings that became his trademark between 2021 and 2023. This downturn has been particularly evident during the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, where he has recorded scores of 12, 5, and 12, failing to provide the middle-order impetus India has come to expect.
While he remains a tactical asset as a leader, having recently guided India to an Asia Cup T20 title, the disconnect between his record-breaking IPL 2025 form and his international output has sparked concerns among experts and fans alike. With the next T20 World Cup fast approaching, the pressure is mounting on the skipper to rediscover his rhythm and silence the growing scrutiny regarding his batting consistency.
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