Surya returned with scores of 7*, 47*, 0, 5, 12 and 1 in the recently held Asia Cup.
In fact, the Indian T20I skipper’s form in 2025 has been far from convincing. He has managed to score only 100 runs across 11 innings, averaging less than 10.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, South African legend AB de Villiers weighed in on Suryakumar's recent struggles, suggesting that repeated dismissals to slower deliveries are less a weakness and more an opportunity to adjust technique and mindset.
"I wouldn't say it's a weakness but when you start getting out to the same delivery over and over again, you've to tweak a couple of things in your technique and more so your mindset than anything else. It's just a matter of him seeing it as an opportunity, he picks up it's a slower ball and he wants more than just one or two runs," De Villiers said.
"I think it's more a case of when he sees a slower ball, he sees opportunities. So I like the fact that he has got an attacking mindset. And the minute he sees it, he sees it so early and that is one of his biggest strengths - he picks up length and the pace of the ball very quickly," he added.
De Villiers also mentioned that Suryakumar's ‘overly greedy’ approach is more a mindset issue than a technical flaw.
"He maybe a little bit overly greedy and that's maybe just a mindset tweak. I wouldn't be too concerned about it but it's a personal thing for him to figure out. Find spaces in the field and make sure you get two. Maybe keep it on the floor and try to get a four instead of big sixes," De Villiers remarked.
Suryakumar Yadav will next lead the Indian T20I team on the tour of Australia, starting October 29 in Canberra.