India skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s lean patch in T20Is continued as he was dismissed for just 12 runs against South Africa in Dharamsala on Sunday (December 14).

Suryakumar’s batting numbers have fallen drastically ever since assuming the T20I captaincy. He has managed to score only 213 runs across 20 matches and 18 innings in 2025, averaging just over 14, with the best score of 47* to his credit.

Although India emerged victorious by seven wickets in Dharamsala, Suryakumar's dismal run became a topic of debate among the fans and experts. It was his favourite pick-up shot that brought about Surya’s downfall as he tried to hit the ball over fine leg but was caught by Ottneil Baartman off the bowling of Lungi Ngidi.

After the dismissal, Gavaskar slammed the Indian captain’s shot selection, saying that the pick-up shot should be put in the "cold storage" and need to be used at the right time.

“It has been a very, very productive shot for him. Now, when you are not in form, it's only gone up in the air instead of going the distance, and well inside the boundary. So maybe, until he starts to get going, he should look to keep that shot in cold storage,” Gavaskar said on commentary.

“Because it's getting him out and India doesn't require Suryakumar Yadav scoring only 12 runs,” he added.

After his failure in the third T20I against South Africa, Suryakumar Yadav addressed concerns surrounding his string of low scores, stressing that he is not out of form but out of runs.

“The thing is, I’ve been batting beautifully in the nets. I’m trying everything that’s in my control. And when the game comes, when the runs have to come, they’ll definitely come. But yes, I’m looking for runs, not out of form, but definitely out of runs,” Surya said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

With the T20 World Cup 2026 around the corner, Suryakumar Yadav will be keen to regain his form in the remaining two T20Is against South Africa.