As the countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 gathers pace, expectations are sky-high from defending champions India. With the side entering the global event as the team to beat, much of the spotlight is firmly fixed on captain Suryakumar Yadav, who will be leading India in a T20 World Cup for the first time. Known for his fearless strokeplay and unmatched range, Suryakumar is seen as the heartbeat of India’s batting unit. His form, role, and leadership will play a defining role in shaping India’s title defence.
Suryakumar Yadav’s poor form raises concern ahead of T20 World Cup
Despite his stature in world T20 cricket, Suryakumar’s recent form has been a major talking point heading into the mega event. The 35-year-old endured a forgettable 2025 in the shortest format, managing only 218 runs from 21 T20Is at an average of 13.62. Even more worrying for Indian fans was his inability to convert starts, with his last half-century coming back in October 2024 against Bangladesh.
However, there have been encouraging signs in recent outings. In the first T20I against New Zealand in Nagpur on January 21, Suryakumar looked far more assured at the crease. His 32 off 22 balls might not have been a big score on paper, but it carried glimpses of the old SKY — fluent against spin, inventive in stroke selection, and proactive during the middle overs. His 99-run partnership with Abhishek Sharma for the third wicket played a crucial role in India’s 48-run win and gave fans reasons to believe that a turnaround may not be far away.
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Irfan Pathan picks batting position of Suryakumar
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has now weighed in on the discussion, offering a clear solution to maximise Suryakumar’s impact at the T20 World Cup. Speaking on Star Sports, Pathan strongly backed the Indian skipper to bat at No. 4, calling it the most suitable position for him in the shortest format.
According to Pathan, Suryakumar’s dominance in the middle overs makes him an ideal candidate to control the game once the powerplay is done. He highlighted the batter’s exceptional ability to tackle spin, especially through his sweep shots and unconventional angles, as a key reason behind his suggestion.
“No. 4. The way he has dominated in the middle overs for years and years, with his sweeps and ability to play spin really well. So, I think that is his position,” Pathan said.
The former cricketer believes that allowing Suryakumar to walk in when spinners are in operation could help India maintain momentum while also shielding him from excessive pressure early on. With the right batting slot and renewed confidence, Suryakumar could once again become India’s biggest match-winner as the defending champions gear up for another T20 World Cup challenge.
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