Just a few months ago, Suryakumar Yadav was setting batting records no one had touched before. The IPL 2025 Player of the Tournament piled up 717 runs in 16 innings, becoming the first batter in history to cross 25 runs in each one of them. He batted with such effortless rhythm that bowlers often looked hapless. But under the lights of Dubai in the Asia Cup, that fluency deserted him.
In India’s victorious campaign, the skipper managed only 72 runs across six innings at a strike rate of just 104.22. His returns included four single-digit scores, including the final where he lasted five balls for one run before miscuing Shaheen Afridi straight to mid-off.
For a player who had looked untouchable in franchise cricket, the contrast was jarring. He doesn’t look anywhere close to his best. There was a reason why he was once considered in India’s all-time T20 lineup even after playing for a couple of years. But, now 35, his prime might be well past him.
“Not out of form, just out of runs”: Suryakumar
Suryakumar, however, was quick to downplay the slump. “I feel that when it comes to form, I believe more in what I’m doing in the nets. How spot-on I am with my preparation is what I really focus on. Once the match starts, everything runs on auto-pilot. So if you’re saying I’m out of form, I don’t think that’s the case — I’m not out of form, I’m just out of runs,” he said after the Asia Cup final.
Having said that, the numbers suggest the dip has lasted longer than one tournament. In T20 internationals this year, the Mumbai Indians (MI) star has managed just 100 runs from 11 innings, averaging 11.11 with a strike rate of 105.26. His record in finals doesn’t inspire either with only 115 runs across eight knockout matches at 14.37. Even against Pakistan, where pressure always seems amplified, he has collected only 112 runs from eight innings.
Yet, India’s management continues to back him. Undoubtedly, he has the ability to win games single-handedly when in rhythm. The Asia Cup was his first major title as captain, and while his runs dried up, his leadership stood out in a tense final. With the T20 World Cup just four months away, the hope in the Indian camp is that Suryakumar’s words prove true as the preparation is there, and the runs are simply waiting to come.
Suryakumar Yadav T20I stats
| Span | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100 | 50 | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 85 | 2670 | 117 | 37.08 | 164.20 | 4 | 21 | 148 |
| 2021-2023 | 57 | 2141 | 117 | 45.55 | 171.55 | 4 | 17 | 123 |
| 2024-now | 28 | 529 | 75 | 21.16 | 139.94 | 0 | 4 | 25 |
Editor's Pick
Cricket
How Virat Kohli's 100 in Ranchi resulted in tickets for IND vs SA 3rd ODI getting sold out instantly
Top Stories
