SKY under pressure: Batting crisis deepens months before World Cup

India’s T20 captain struggles through a second straight year of poor returns, raising concerns for coach Gautam Gambhir just months before the World Cup.

Suryakumar Yadav, known for his fearless strokeplay and “Mr 360°” reputation, is going through the toughest phase of his career. Once celebrated as a power-hitter and one of India’s smartest T20 batsmen, SKY has seen his form collapse dramatically over the last two years.

Despite a few isolated performances, Suryakumar has struggled to make any meaningful impact across formats. His inconsistency has now turned into a full-blown drought, prompting serious concern within the Indian camp as the T20 World Cup is just two months away.

Steep drop in numbers over two years

SKY’s decline began in 2024, when his batting average slipped to 25.55, a sharp fall for a player known for scoring freely. Every run seemed like a grind, and his confidence appeared to dip steadily as the year progressed.

However, 2025 has proven to be even worse. With 15 innings played this year, he has managed only 184 runs, averaging 15.3, a career-low. The tally includes three ducks, and his best score so far is an unbeaten 47. Compared to last year, even his minimum standards have dropped significantly.

Pressure of captaincy?

Fans and analysts are now questioning whether the captaincy burden is weighing him down. While Suryakumar has an impressive record as a pure batter, his performances have visibly declined after taking over the leadership role in the T20 setup.

Those close to the team believe the added responsibility may be affecting his mental clarity at the crease. He often comes in, faces a few balls, and walks back without settling in, a pattern that has become increasingly common.

A Critical phase for SKY

Team management, including coach Gautam Gambhir, reportedly sees this situation as a major red flag. If SKY continues to falter in upcoming matches, his spot, both as captain and as a batter, could come under serious scrutiny. For now, he remains in the “danger zone,” with expectations rising and time running out.