Overview:
Suryakumar Yadav is struggling to score runs in T20Is. However, his failures have not impacted the team.
Suryakumar Yadav‘s batting form has become a worry for India as they prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup on home turf. Having been the No. 1 T20I batter for nearly two years, his struggles in 2025 have raised questions. Rohit Sharma, who led India to the T20 World Cup 2024 victory, pointed out that Suryakumar’s form could influence the entire batting order but emphasized the need for collective contributions to avoid any setbacks.
“It’s not just about the captain’s form or lack of it. If any player is out of form, we’re essentially missing one batter from the seven or eight we have. Our main batting strength relies on all players contributing, so if one player, like Surya, isn’t performing, the entire batting lineup gets affected,” Rohit said in an interview with Star Sports.
Rohit, however, acknowledged Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership qualities. Following Rohit’s decision to retire from T20Is, Suryakumar was entrusted with the role of captain for India’s T20I squad.
“SKY knows the game. He knows the players.” 💙@ImRo45 highlights @surya_14kumar's form and impact, calling him a critical batter whose presence brings balance and confidence to India’s batting lineup. 🔑🔥
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 20, 2026
Why is SKY central to India’s success on the biggest stage? 🤔
Watch it… pic.twitter.com/JEXFzIPhWA
“I believe Surya has a deep understanding of the game and knows how to get the best performance out of the players around him,” Rohit added.
New Zealand T20I captain Mitchell Santner pointed out that their recent achievements against India in different formats have given the team confidence, providing them with an advantage as they approach the five-match T20I series in Nagpur starting Wednesday.
“It definitely gives us an advantage. We enjoy playing against India and especially in India. We’ve had some positive results in recent encounters across various formats. We’re excited about the upcoming series. The main goal is to win, but equally important is using this opportunity to prepare well for the T20 World Cup 2026. We’ll be facing a strong team in conditions similar to those at the World Cup, so it’s an ideal preparation. We’re looking forward to what promises to be an exciting series,” Santner said.