All eyes on India’s T20 captain ahead of New Zealand series as batting form remains a major concern

With the T20 World Cup approaching, India’s T20 skipper faces intense scrutiny after a prolonged dip in batting form, making the New Zealand series a crucial test before the marquee tournament.

Ahead of the India-New Zealand T20 series, the focus has firmly shifted to the performance of India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav. While leadership credentials have earned clear approval, batting returns have raised serious concerns. The upcoming series has therefore emerged as a decisive phase, with questions growing over whether the prolonged lean patch will finally end.

This series carries added importance as it is India’s final T20 assignment before the upcoming T20 World Cup. Expectations are high that the he will rediscover rhythm and confidence with the bat at a time when the team needs stability at the top.

Once celebrated globally as the face of modern T20 batting, the Indian skipper was known for explosive stroke play, fearless intent, and an ability to dominate bowlers from the first delivery. The term “dot ball” rarely featured in his innings, and when he clicked, match-winning knocks were almost guaranteed. However, that sharp edge has been missing for nearly a year, with performances consistently falling short of past standards.

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The decline was clearly visible during the South Africa T20 series at the end of 2025. Across four matches, only 34 runs were scored at an average of 8.50. The series yielded just one six and four boundaries, highlighting the struggle to find timing and momentum even against familiar opposition.

The 2025 calendar year proved particularly difficult. Across 21 T20 matches, not a single half-century was recorded. SKY managed only 218 runs at a poor average of 13.62, with a modest strike rate of 123.16. Known for effortless boundary-hitting, the entire year produced only 18 fours and 10 sixes, a sharp contrast to earlier seasons.

Signs of this slump were evident even in 2024. During that year, including a major T20 World Cup stage, returns remained ordinary. In 11 matches, 291 runs were scored at an average of 29.10, well below expectations for a player once regarded as the format’s most dangerous batter.

As the T20 World Cup is set to be hosted in India, the responsibility on the captain is immense, especially with the task of defending the title. The New Zealand series now stands as a critical opportunity to correct mistakes, overcome form issues, and lead from the front when it matters most.

Sports Bureau

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