With just three losses after 19 T20 internationals in 2025, one would imagine that the Indian team is sorted for the T20 World Cup 2026. They have been ruthless under Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir, winning series after series and an Asia Cup in between.
But right after their heavy win over South Africa by 101 runs in Cuttack, the glaring holes in the side prevailed. The Proteas have roared back in the series to hammer India by 51 runs, their biggest T20I defeat at home. Horrible forms of Suryakumar and Shubman Gill are frustrating India at the moment.
Suryakumar, Shubman Gill hurting India
India may look to be a behemoth in the batting. They have played with an ultra aggressive approch, and have operated at a great strike rate throughout the year. Yes, you can’t have both aggression and consistency at the same time but what India are enduring is a worrying sign.
Both captain and vice captain are in horrible form. Let’s first talk about Suryakumar, who isn’t in a dip but in a decline. For a man who bossed T20I cricket in 2022 and 2023, this seems quite surprising. Suryakumar hasn’t scored runs at all. In fact, his average of 14.35 is the lowest for any full-member captain in a year. In 19 games, SKY has mustered 201 runs at a strike rate of under 127. These are some horrible numbers for a leader going into a home World Cup.
Now, Shubman Gill. He is basically forced into the T20I setup by BCCI. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma seemed to be locked as an opening pair until Gill came in during the Asia Cup 2025. Yes, he is an all-format player but hasn’t done any justice to his T20I place. He had the perfect chance to prove his critics wrong in the 2nd T20I against South Africa at Mullanpur. Unfortunately, he got out for a duck, and South Africa went on to rack up 213 runs. It was all over so quickly, there wasn’t even time to see if he was struggling or having a good time at the crease.
Despite batting across 14 innings, Gill has managed to score just 263 runs at an average of 23.90. Yes is considered a more safe batter but guess what, the lad hasn’t scored a single fifty in 2025. It looks like he is going out of his comfort zone to force things. This is what we saw in Cuttack as well.
Quinton de Kock’s IPL auction audition powers SA
South Africa didn’t just bat well in Mullanpur; they bulldozed their way to 213. They were helped by dew, a flat surface and an India attack that completely lost its discipline. But even with the conditions in their favour, this was a statement innings from Aiden Markram’s side, built around a blistering 90 off 46 balls from Quinton de Kock. He was hitting on a different plane, clearing the field at will and striking at nearly 200. He gave a perfect audition for the IPL 2026 auction that is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16.
De Kock found able support through the middle. Markram and David Miller kept the tempo high before Donovan Ferreira’s clean 30 not out off 16 balls ensured South Africa finished with a punishing last phase. Their innings picked up pace in the middle phase as they scored 53 in the powerplay, 103 in overs 7 to 15, and 57 at the death. The 15 sixes they smashed are the joint-most by any team against India in T20Is.
Poor pace bowling ft. Arshdeep Singh
India’s bowling completely unravelled. Arshdeep Singh delivered a record 13-ball over and finished with 4-0-54. Jasprit Bumrah leaked 45, while Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel also travelled. Only Varun Chakaravarthy (2 for 29) looked like he had any control on a dewy, unforgiving night.
South Africa also benefited from India’s sloppiness, collecting 22 extras. Jasprit Bumrah didn’t find success as well, with him 28 runs in his last two.
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Captain Suryakumar Yadav & vice-captain Shubman Gill drag Team India to 51-run loss in 2nd T20I
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