Indian cricket icon Kris Srikkanth has openly voiced his profound concerns regarding the current T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav’s, recent batting struggles. This critique comes even after India’s triumphant Asia Cup campaign.
An image shows Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav of India, captured by Francois Nel/Getty Images.
Srikkanth highlighted that despite leading the team to a continental victory, Suryakumar’s individual batting performance has been notably underwhelming, accumulating only 72 runs throughout the tournament. This consistent string of low scores has drawn significant criticism.
A closer look at Suryakumar Yadav’s recent statistics paints a worrying picture. In 2025, while captaining India in T20 Internationals, he has managed a mere 100 runs across 11 innings, averaging just over nine. His overall captaincy record shows 330 runs from 20 innings, indicative of a prolonged struggle with the bat.
The Asia Cup particularly exposed these issues, with Suryakumar posting scores of 0, 5, 12, and 1 in his final four matches. His dismissal for just one run in the championship match, while chasing a target of 147, placed additional pressure on his teammates.
“Suryakumar Yadav let me down. His scores are like a pin code these days. Both batting lineups had several pin codes, with Pakistan being much worse, of course. But yes, Surya’s form is very concerning, along with Shubman Gill,” Srikkanth shared on his YouTube channel.
Srikkanth’s strong comments also extended to vice-captain Shubman Gill’s performance in the T20 format.
“Shubman Gill doesn’t look very deadly in the T20 format. He is fantastic in Tests and ODIs. Though they made him the vice-captain, with the World Cup coming up, we have to see what they do with him. He wasn’t even in my team during the initial selection. But they made him the vice-captain as well,” he added, expressing his doubts about Gill’s T20 suitability.
The 1983 World Cup winner’s reservations aren’t limited to individual players but encompass the broader team composition for the upcoming T20 World Cup. He believes that while the current squad may have been sufficient against weaker opposition, it is likely to falter when confronted by more formidable teams.
“This team is not the right one for the T20 World Cup. It was enough for the below average sides in this tournament. But if we play with this team in the T20 World Cup, it’ll be curtains for us,” Srikkanth asserted.
The Asia Cup statistics underscore these concerns; Suryakumar’s highest score in the entire tournament was 47 against Pakistan in the group stage—his only innings to surpass the 20-run mark.
This candid criticism arrives at a pivotal moment as India gears up for significant international competitions. The team’s Asia Cup victory, despite being a success, has undeniably sparked crucial discussions about the batting lineup’s efficacy and overall readiness for more challenging tournaments on the horizon.
These developments have ignited debate regarding potential changes in team selection and strategic adjustments as India prepares for its upcoming international cricket commitments, especially the highly anticipated T20 World Cup where they will face elite opposition.