The challenge is big in front of Suryakumar (Photo: PTI)
Suryakumar Yadav Performance: Call it Suryakumar Yadav or Mr. 360 degree of Indian cricket. If you want in simple language, you can also call him a batsman who hits shots in all directions. But, this is about those days when Suryakumar Yadav really looked like that in the 22 yard area. Who knows what has happened to Surya’s shine in the last 22 innings of T20I International? In the international format of fast-paced cricket in which he was the king, his condition is currently very bad. You can guess this from the fact that 15 months have passed since he scored a half-century in T20 International. In such a situation, the T20 series against New Zealand has now become a battle with himself for Suryakumar Yadav.
Big challenge in T20 series from New Zealand
Before the T20 World Cup 2026, the 5-match T20 series against New Zealand is the last chance for the Indian team to test its preparations. But, this opportunity is much bigger than that for Indian team captain Suryakumar Yadav. For Suryakumar Yadav, the T20 series against New Zealand is a battle of self-discovery. If he finds himself i.e. his form in this series, then the rest of the work will automatically become easy for Team India.
Suryakumar’s bad condition in last 22 innings
Suryakumar Yadav has not scored any half-century in the last 22 innings in T20 International. He last scored fifty plus in the T20 played against Bangladesh on 12 October 2024 in Hyderabad. But, after that he could not touch double figures in 12 out of 22 innings played. The account was not even opened in 3 innings. However, Suryakumar Yadav’s condition was not like this before the year 2024.
Big difference in Surya till 2023 and after that
The performance of Suryakumar Yadav, who made his T20 International debut in the year 2021, was excellent till 2023. But, as soon as we look at his performance from 2024 till now, the declining graph of Surya’s performance in T20 International is clearly visible.
Till 2023, Suryakumar Yadav had scored 1385 runs against pace and 756 runs against spin in T20 International. The same Surya has scored only 416 runs against pace and 231 runs against spin since 2024.
Big difference in the game of first 10 balls also
The same difference in performance in T20 International is also visible in the first 10 balls played during Suryakumar Yadav’s innings. Till 2023, he has scored 434 runs against pace and 286 runs against spin. Whereas if we look at the record from 2024 till now, apart from scoring 235 runs against Paes in the first 10 balls, he has scored 120 runs against spin.
When Surya was an amazing explosive
Till 2023, Suryakumar Yadav’s statistics against pace and spin told the story of his explosive temperament. During that time, Surya had scored runs against Paes on 737 balls at a strike rate of more than 187. His strike rate against spin was around 148 on 511 balls. Till 2023, Suryakumar was out a total of 45 times, in which he was seen returning to the dugout 32 times against pace and 13 times against spin.
Performance graph has fallen since last 2 years
But, the story from 2024 till now tells the story of a different Suryakumar Yadav. During this period, India’s T20 captain was out 29 times in 298 balls against Paes and his strike rate also fell below 140. Similarly, against spin, he has been out 3 times in 162 balls and his strike rate is below 143.
Surya would like a fresh start in the new year
Team India will be seen playing its first T20 series of the year 2026 against New Zealand. Through this, Suryakumar Yadav will also be seen playing his first innings in the new year. New year, new innings, it is obvious that Suryakumar Yadav and his fans will be seen celebrating the new beginning. Forgetting whatever happened in the last 15 months, Suryakumar would like to make a fresh start with his batting in the year 2026. Doing this would mean the return of Suryakumar Yadav to form, which is very important for the Indian team, not only to win the T20 series against New Zealand but more importantly to win the T20I.