Suryakumar Yadav’s form in international cricket is worrying, especially as captain. Surya, who scored 717 runs in IPL 2025, has averaged only 13 for India in 2025. It is very important for the team to get him back in form for the World Cup.
Suryakumar Yadav, who chewed gum and sent the ball across the boundary with a sweep shot at deep backward and a scoop at fine leg in a very cool manner. Cricket fans now have to remember those old days. Not out of form, but out of runs. Suryakumar said, ‘The form is not bad, just runs are not being scored.’ The Indian captain, who had been silent for more than a year, gave this clarification about his bat. When BCCI removed the vice-captain who did not live up to expectations, it was a warning to Suryakumar as well. After all, what is the reason for Suryakumar Yadav’s poor form? And how important is his return in the Indian team’s journey to win the World Cup?
Suryakumar Yadav’s performance report
When Rohit Sharma left the captaincy, Suryakumar Yadav got the responsibility of leading Team India without the veterans. Since the start of his international career, Surya’s worst performances in the Indian jersey started only after he became the captain. In the T20 format in 2025, apart from the national team, Surya batted for two more teams. One, for Mumbai Indians in IPL and the other, for Mumbai Cricket Association in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
First let’s talk about IPL. The captain of Mumbai Indians was Hardik Pandya. Suryakumar Yadav performed amazingly in the 2025 season. Scored 717 runs in 16 innings. This is the record for most runs by any non-opener in an IPL season. Surya’s average was 65.18 and strike rate was 167. He hit 38 sixes and five half-centuries. The most important thing is that Surya was not out in single digits in any match. This was the first time in the history of T20 that a batsman has been able to cross double figures in 16 consecutive matches. He was also the second highest run scorer in the tournament.
Now let us talk about Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Team Mumbai, Captain Shardul Thakur. Due to the series against South Africa, Surya could play only five matches. He scored 165 runs at an average of 41 and strike rate of 140. He did not score less than 20 runs in any match and played well consistently. Seeing his batting, it did not seem at all that he was out of form or under pressure due to lack of runs.
After leaving the Mumbai camp, Suryakumar reached the Indian team directly. But here the story was completely opposite. As Indian captain, his scores were 12, 5, 12, 5. The year 2025 will probably be the worst year of Surya’s cricket career. Only 218 runs in 21 matches, an average of 13 and a strike rate of 123. He does not have a single half-century to his name.
He was able to score more than 5 runs only once during the South Africa tour at the end of last year. After this, in the England series held in India, he was out for zero twice in five matches and scored a total of 28 runs. Even on Australia tour, he could score only 84 runs in four matches. There is a world of difference between Surya’s performance as captain and without captaincy, which clearly shows the huge pressure on him.
Surya himself admits that he is batting well in the nets, but is not able to repeat it in the matches. The way Surya has been out in recent times, most of the catches have been taken inside the 30-yard circle. He is trying to play his shots with confidence, but is not succeeding. According to reports, Suryakumar Yadav can play for Mumbai in Vijay Hazare Trophy. Another chance to return to form before the World Cup will be the New Zealand series in late January.
There is no doubt that Suryakumar Yadav will captain India in the World Cup. But, if he does not return to form, then concerns will increase about his place in the team after the World Cup. If we look at the T20 team, in recent times Surya is the only player who has not been able to perform well, be it a bowler or a batsman. Therefore, it is very important for India to get this player back in form, not only for India but also for Surya himself to save his career.