IND vs SA 2025: Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I slump deepens ahead of 2026 World Cup

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav‘s poor T20I form in 2025 remains a key concern for Team India. In the second T20I against South Africa, the skipper scored only five runs off four balls, edging a delivery outside off straight to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.

The dismissal highlighted a concerning pattern; Suryakumar appears to be lacking confidence, and opposition bowlers seemed to have uncovered flaws that were not apparent in prior years. In the first T20I in Cuttack, he struggled for fluency and managed only 12 runs, underscoring his continuous slump in form.

The figures highlight the decline. Suryakumar scored 201 runs in 17 innings in 2025, with an average of 14.35 and a strike rate of 126.41, well below his usual standards. He has three ducks this year, and his best score is an undefeated 47. With the 2026 T20 World Cup only two months away, his form is becoming a concern for Indian management.

Since the conclusion of the 2024 T20 World Cup, Suryakumar has registered only two scores of fifty or more in 26 innings. For a batter renowned as a 360-degree shot-maker, this is significantly below par. Across his T20I career, he has scored 2766 runs in 90 innings at a strike rate of over 150, a benchmark India desperately needs him to return to. Despite enjoying an excellent IPL 2025 season, his performances for India this year have been uncharacteristically ordinary.

India will be hoping for a turnaround from their captain, especially with the marquee global event starting on February 7. At present, India are engaged in a five-match T20I series against South Africa and lead 1-0, though they face an uphill task in the second game. Earlier in the campaign against the Proteas, India suffered a 2-0 defeat in the Test series but bounced back to win the ODI series 2-1. A return to form for Suryakumar will be crucial as India look to build momentum ahead of the world tournament.

Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is in 2025