Irfan Pathan has voiced concerns about Suryakumar Yadav's recent form, particularly with the T20 World Cup approaching. The former India all-rounder highlighted the pressure mounting on Suryakumar, especially as captain, where a secured spot in the playing XI comes with the expectation of consistent performance.
Yadav's recent scores have been a cause for concern. In the T20 series against South Africa, he scored only 34 runs across four matches, averaging a mere 8.5. More broadly, his T20 performance in 2025 has seen him score 87 runs in 12 matches, with a highest score of 41. His overall T20I average for the year stands at just 13.62 across 21 matches. This is a stark contrast to his career average of 35.68 and a strike rate of 163.61.
Pathan pointed out technical aspects of Suryakumar's dismissals, noting a tendency to play straight balls to the leg side and getting out. He suggested that Suryakumar needs to focus more on his offside play and try to play in front, utilizing his ability to bring the ball into his line of sight and use its pace. Pathan also noted that teams are bowling slower balls to him, which he needs to counter. He also suggested that Suryakumar should spend some time at the crease before going for his favorite shots.
Despite the concerns about his batting form, Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy has been a bright spot. India has maintained an impressive T20I series record under his leadership. Pathan emphasized that Suryakumar's captaincy record is "extremely special" and that "not all T20 captains are able to do this". He also sees Suryakumar as a bowler's captain.
While Suryakumar's individual form is wavering, he has the backing of his teammates. Tilak Varma has publicly supported Suryakumar, expressing confidence in his ability to regain his rhythm. Varma shared that he advised Suryakumar to remain calm at the crease, trusting that his confidence and natural game would return.
Looking ahead to the T20 World Cup, Suryakumar's form will be crucial for India's chances. As captain, his place in the team is secure, but his performance with the bat needs to improve. The team management will likely be focused on helping him rediscover his confidence and the aggressive style that has made him a formidable T20 batter. Suryakumar himself acknowledged his recent struggles, admitting that he wasn't up to the mark in the T20I series against South Africa.
Suryakumar's journey in 2025 has been a mix of IPL success and T20 struggles. In the IPL, he scored 717 runs in 16 matches with a strike rate of 167.9. However, his T20I form has been inconsistent. As the T20 World Cup approaches, the focus will be on Suryakumar Yadav to overcome his current challenges and lead India from the front.
