IND vs ENG: Suryakumar Yadav’s Form Under Scrutiny Ahead of Fourth T20I: India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, seems to be having a tough patch with the bat, which has raised certain alarms regarding his form, with the crucial fourth T20I against England around the corner. His last six T20I innings have witnessed scores of 21, 4, 1, 0, 12, and 14, a far cry from the explosive starts or match-winning innings known to him. His form comes as India looks to fine-tune their squad ahead of major global T20 tournaments and hence is a matter of concern for the team management.
From Mr. 360 to an Unsettling Phase
Been aptly nicknamed “Mr. 360” for his ability to play shots practically everywhere from the ground, Yadav had made his name one of the most dangerous T20 batters worldwide. His present record, however, suggests a different story. Since the turn of the year in 2022, Yadav’s batting average has dipped below 27, and he recorded a strike rate lower than at any time since his first year. In this currently ongoing series against England, he is yet to make a significant impact and has been dismissed cheaply on two occasions during two key run chases.
While fluctuations in form, in the short run, seem to be no big deal in the game of cricket, Yadav’s struggles, due to his leadership, are seeing a placement of a larger work on it. As combinations have varied with changing faces in India’s batting lineup, they have counted heavily on the terrific attacking play of his game. His frailty to either anchor or accelerate the innings has put others like Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh under heightened pressure throughout the middle order.
Also Read: IND vs ENG 3rd T20I Highlights: England Won By 26 Runs
Is Captaincy Hindering Suryakumar Yadav’s Batting?
Yadav has taken over the T20I captaincy with Hardik Pandya absent from the series due to injury. Historically, many top-order batters have found it difficult to balance the leadership role with their individual performances. The added responsibilities of captaincy might impact his batting. The mental load of captaincy may have affected Yadav’s shot selection and might have diminished his confidence in the crease.
With India leading the series 2-1, the fourth T20I is a do-or-die for Yadav’s form. If he fails again to score, the selectors will have no choice but to go back to the drawing board and rethink his batting order versus upcoming tournaments.
