Suryakumar Yadav Aims for Form Recovery Ahead of ICC T20 World Cup
Suryakumar Yadav Acknowledges Recent Struggles
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has openly recognized his recent poor performance and expressed confidence in regaining form ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. In 2025, Yadav has faced challenges in scoring runs in T20 international cricket, accumulating only 218 runs at a disappointing average of 13.62 across 21 matches. Notably, he has yet to score a half-century in T20 internationals this year.
Team Announcement and Leadership Changes
Yadav will lead a 15-member squad in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Shubman Gill, the vice-captain of the T20 international team, has been dropped due to fitness and form concerns, while Axar Patel returns as the new vice-captain. The announcement was made at the BCCI headquarters in the presence of captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, with BCCI secretary Devjeet Saikia overseeing the proceedings.
Yadav's Insights on Team Selection
In a conversation with reporters, Yadav stated, "I know what I need to do and where the issues lie. I have some time to work on this. It’s just a minor invisible barrier that I will definitely overcome." The exclusion of Gill sparked considerable debate, with Yadav noting, "My time has been extended a bit longer." He clarified that the selection was based on players' roles and team structure rather than their recent performances.
Focus on Team Dynamics
Yadav emphasized that the decision was not solely about performance but rather about team synergy. "We wanted a wicketkeeper in the top order. We are aware of Gill's quality. We also wanted players like Rinku Singh and Washington Sundar at the tail end," he explained. For Yadav, captaining the team in a home World Cup is both an opportunity and a responsibility. He added, "I believe this is a significant responsibility for me... playing in front of our home crowd will be a great challenge." India has been placed in Group 'A' alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the USA, with their campaign kicking off against the USA in Mumbai on February 7.