Suryakumar Yadav was the No. 1-ranked batter in T20I cricket not too long ago. However, since taking up the role of captaincy for India in the shortest format midway through 2024, his returns with the willow
have been abysmal. In 2025, he has only aggregated 100 runs from 11 innings at a paltry average of 11.11 and an equally disappointing strike rate of 105.26.
Ahead of India's next T20 challenge, which is the five-match series against Australia, Irfan Pathan has backed Suryakumar to end his lean patch in the format. The former India all-rounder noted that the right-handed batter hasn't been able to translate his stunning IPL performances into fruitful outings in international cricket.
"One concern is Suryakumar Yadav's form. His strike rate has been around 166, and no one has scored more runs than him in T20Is recently. But lately, his average has dropped to around 20, and he hasn't been converting starts into big scores. His IPL form was great, but he hasn't carried that into internationals," Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
Pathan believes that the right-handed batter will rediscover his form during the series against Australia as he will enjoy batting on the pitches Down Under, which are known for their pace and bounce.
"Still, I feel Australian pitches will help him regain rhythm. He uses bowlers' pace beautifully and plays square of the wicket very well. Remember his debut shot - a pull off Jofra Archer using his pace? That's his trademark. If the bounce works in his favour, he could easily get back in form," said Pathan.
The first T20I in the five-match series gets underway on Wednesday, October 29, at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. India are coming into this assignment on the back of a triumphant campaign in the T20 Asia Cup last month. On the other hand, Australia won the last T20 series they played, which was against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui earlier this month. The Men in Yellow defeated their trans-Tasman rivals 2-0 in a three-match series after the second game was washed out.
