What exactly is India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav doing at No. 3? Is the under-performing T20 skipper trying to shield himself behind the faÇade of aggressive batting rather than taking responsibility
in high-pressure situations?
There are also questions circulating within domestic cricket circles: Was Surya the one who pushed to captain Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and did he later express disappointment when the role was not handed to him?
And then comes the tactical confusion - why isn't Hardik Pandya batting ahead of Surya, especially when Hardik has a proven track record of finishing matches and stepping up in crucial moments?
For a captain expected to lead from the front, critics argue that Surya should be taking bigger ownership of his performances rather than hiding behind the shield of reputation and flair-driven cameos.
Less said the better about Suryakumar's batting position over the past year. Despite continuous experiments and tactical reshuffles, India's T20 captain has struggled to settle into a role that matches both his talent and the demands of leadership.
Suryakumar Yadav T20I Knocks in 2025 (Till December 9)
| Innings | Runs | Balls Faced |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | 11 |
| 2 | 20 | 10 |
| 3 | 24 | 11 |
| 4 | 1 | 4 |
| 5 | 39* | 24 |
| 6 | 1 | 5 |
| 7 | 12 | 13 |
| 8 | 5 | 11 |
| 9 | 0 | 3 |
| 10 | 47 | 37 |
(Latest innings first)
With major tournaments approaching, the selectors and team management appear to have little time or flexibility to rethink the captaincy, but many still believe in the team including chief selector Ajit Agarkar and coach Gautam Gambhir that Surya doesn't remains an awkward fit as India's T20 leader.
For now, India continues to back him - but the mismatch is becoming increasingly visible, and questions around his suitability to lead are growing louder with every inconsistent performance.
Not to forget, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had at one stage pushed so strongly for Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy that, as insiders suggest, announcing a squad without Surya as captain would have meant Agarkar stepping down from his chairman's role.
Such was the intensity of his backing and conviction. If performance is the ultimate parameter, as the selection committee itself has repeatedly claimed, Agarkar may soon be expected to explain whether his faith was based on cricketing conviction - or emotional investment.
