India’s first-choice T20I batter, Suryakumar Yadav, took on the position of national T20I captain in July 2023. His natural selection as a long-term leader was per his unmatched capability of dominating bowlers and perceived status as the world’s best T20I batter. Of course, since Surya became the captain, he just could not get back to his batting form. One begins to wonder if the burden of captaincy is somehow affecting his natural game.
A Phenomenal Start to Captaincy
Suryakumar Yadav started his tenure as the full-time white-ball leader of India by leading the team to a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Sri Lanka in July 2023. Suryakumar was the Player of the Series in that particular series. Popular titles he received included ‘India’s Mr. 360 Degree’ and ‘the next AB de Villiers.’ His brilliance at batting came out due to his extraordinary ability to innovate and be ready to play all around the ground, making him the star batter in the format.
In addition, during his captaincy, India comprehensively won the series 4-1 against England and carried on their winning streak against Bangladesh and South Africa. His T20I captaincy record remains impressive, with a win percentage of almost 80%.
The Sudden Fall in Form
While India continued to prosper under his captaincy, Suryakumar’s personal performances have taken a steep fall. His last ten T20I innings tell a grim tale:
8 vs Bangladesh
75 vs Bangladesh
21 vs South Africa
4 vs South Africa
1 vs England
0 vs England
12 vs England
14 vs England
0 vs England
2 vs EnglandIn the just-concluded five-match series against England, he could score only 28 runs in five innings, with two ducks and an average below six. The explosive batter of old now seems cramped, unable to find the free-flowing approach that made him a nightmare for bowlers all over the world.
Is Captaincy Holding Him Back?
Leading the Indian T20I team is one of the toughest jobs in cricket. The added responsibilities of strategizing, decision-making, and handling media scrutiny can weigh heavily on any player. Former cricketer and Mumbai cricket legend Milind Rege questioned whether the leadership burden was forcing Surya to sacrifice his natural batting instincts.
The pressure of maintaining India’s dominance in T20I cricket post-Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s exit from the format might have mentally affected Suryakumar. His approach, once fearless and instinct-driven, now appears cautious and tentative.
Hardik Pandya in Contention for Captaincy?
Discussions over possibly reinstating Hardik Pandya as the T20I captain have begun because Suryakumar’s batting slump has only continued. Being the vice-captain during the 2024 T20 World Cup, Pandya boasts previous experience and is perceived to be a natural leader. In fact, according to some officials in the BCCI, he was unfairly shunted aside despite his proven credentials.
Also, former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar, recently reacted to Surya’s elevation to captaincy above Hardik in surprise. Even though Bangar appreciated Surya’s batting skills, he felt that responsibilities of captaincy might be taking a toll on his performance.
What’s next for Suryakumar?
With the T20 World Cup just a year away, India needs both a strong leader and an in-form batter. Suryakumar has the full support of the team management and head coach Gautam Gambhir, but adjustments may be needed to help him regain his best form.
Perhaps giving some of the captaincy tasks to Hardik Pandya or Sanju Samson will free Surya completely to play, because then he can get his batting together. Technical corrections and mental purity will help him regain his flow.
Suryakumar Yadav still is one of India’s most consistent T20I players, but it is really hectic for the player to deal with the workload of being a captain and playing. The next series or two will go a long way in determining whether he can come out of this patch or whether he needs a change in the leadership to re-discover the Surya of old. India does not want its best batter on the back foot, and for that, Surya might have to search for that fearless approach as a leader to bring out the best in him again.