As India prepares to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final, all eyes are on Suryakumar Yadav, the team's captain, whose recent form has been a concern. Despite India's dominant run in the tournament, Suryakumar has struggled to replicate his stellar performances, particularly when compared to his outstanding IPL 2025 season. Recognizing the importance of Suryakumar's contribution to India's chances, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has offered valuable advice to the skipper ahead of the crucial final.
In the Asia Cup 2025, Suryakumar Yadav has managed just 71 runs in five innings, averaging 23.66 with a strike rate of 107.57. His scores of 7, 47, 0, 5, and 12 reflect a stark contrast to his IPL 2025 form, where he amassed 717 runs at an impressive average of 65.18 and a strike rate of 167.91. This discrepancy has led to scrutiny, with former all-rounder Irfan Pathan pointing out that Suryakumar's IPL form hasn't translated into significant international scores, and his dismissals while attempting sweep shots have been a recurring issue.
Sunil Gavaskar, acknowledging Suryakumar's undeniable talent, has suggested a pragmatic approach for the final. Gavaskar advises Suryakumar to take his time at the start of his innings, urging him to play three to four deliveries to assess the pitch conditions. He emphasized the importance of understanding the pace, bounce, and turn of the surface before unleashing his natural, aggressive game. Gavaskar noted that the view from the dugout can be deceiving, and it's crucial to gauge the conditions firsthand before committing to high-risk shots. "Watching from the dugout and stepping onto the field can feel very different,” Gavaskar told Sports Today. “Sometimes, if a batter is ahead, it might seem like there's nothing in the pitch, but it's always better to take a few balls to gauge the conditions before playing your natural game,” Gavaskar added.
Gavaskar also believes that India's tough match against Sri Lanka, which went to a Super Over, could be a blessing in disguise. He stated that facing a challenging situation before the final can actually be beneficial, as it tests the team's resilience and composure. He added, "The team managed to come through by maintaining their composure in the last few overs while defending the total".
Furthermore, Gavaskar expressed confidence in India's batting depth, asserting that the team possesses ample firepower even if Abhishek Sharma, who has been in excellent form, fails to score big. He highlighted the potential of other players like Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, and Shubman Gill to contribute significantly. Gavaskar said, "There are several key players who can make a difference. Suryakumar Yadav is due for runs, as are Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, and Hardik Pandya".
While Suryakumar's recent form has raised concerns, his past performances and undeniable talent suggest that he is capable of turning things around. His Asia Cup form contrasts sharply with his IPL 2025 performance, where he scored 717 runs at an average of 65.18 and a strike rate of 167.91. In 2024, Suryakumar scored 420 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 155 with four fifties. With Gavaskar's advice and the backing of the team, Suryakumar Yadav will aim to regain his form and play a crucial role in India's quest for the Asia Cup title.
