While Suryakumar Yadav has managed to produce impressive results as India’s T20I captain, his output with the bat has gone down considerably ever since assuming the leadership role.
Suryakumar’s form in 2025 has been far from convincing. He has managed to score only 201 runs across 19 matches and 17 innings, averaging less than 15, with the best score of 47* to his credit.
The dashing right-hander is currently leading India in the five-T20I series against South Africa at home. He has produced scores of 12 and 5 in the first two games so far.
With the fast-approaching T20 World Cup 2026, former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has raised concerns over Suryakumar’s form lately.
Chopra minced no words as he the reminded the skipper that his job is not just to toss the coin and manage bowlers.
“You are the team's captain, but a captain's job is not just to toss and manage the bowlers. It's not just about making the strategy. If you bat in the top four, your primary role is to score runs,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
"It's been many matches. If you have an average of 14 in 17 innings and the strike rate is also not very good, you don't have a single fifty, and have crossed 25 just twice, it's been a problem on either side of the IPL," he added.
There is nothing much to complain about Surya’s captaincy as the Indian team won the Asia Cup under his tenure and also enjoys strong bilateral record.
“I am not saying there is any doubt over Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy, or that he won't be India's captain in the World Cup. I am not suggesting that at all, so don't ever misquote me, but the truth is that he needs to score runs,” Chopra remarked.
Suryakumar’s deputy Shubman Gill’s poor form has also put the Indian team management in a tough spot heading into a marquee tournament like the T20 World Cup.
“If you are playing at No. 3 or No. 4 and are not scoring runs, and they aren't being scored consistently and over a long period of time, you won't be that confident when you start the World Cup. So, Suryakumar Yadav, the captain, and Shubman Gill, the vice-captain, scoring runs is absolutely imperative,” Chopra stated.
