India's T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav addressed his protracted slump in form once more, this time during a session with students at GLS University, where his forthright remarks drew widespread notice.  

The right-hander had a tough 2025, scoring only 218 runs from 19 innings at an average of 13.62 and a strike rate of 123.16, with a high score of 47 in the Asia Cup. He also struggled against South Africa, getting 34 runs in four innings during a home series that India won 3-1.

“A sportsman doesn't always enjoy a good time. I am not saying we endure bad times. It's a learning process. There's always a phase where you feel it's a learning stage. For me, it's that learning curve. It's been a bit up and down.

But, for me, my soldiers, 14 of them, are covering for me, for now. They know what will happen the day I blast. I am sure you all also know about it,” Suryakumar Yadav said during the speech in Ahmedabad.

Despite the chatter around his performances, the Indian skipper maintained that his mindset remains positive.

“I am very positive. I am working really hard. Imagine, if you get low grades in your exams, do you quit your school? You work hard again and get good marks again. I am also trying to do that. I am trying to come back with better performances,” he added.

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In the recent South Africa T20Is, Suryakumar scored only 34 runs in four innings during a home series that India still won 3-1. Suryakumar Yadav has been retained as captain of the Indian team for the New Zealand T20Is and the T20 World Cup 2026 tournament.

However, his vice-captain, Shubman Gill, was not so lucky, as his poor form led to his exclusion from the Indian squad for the ICC event.

Next month, Suryakumar will play a five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which will provide him another chance to prove his worth and turn words into runs.