Gargi Raut in Dubai
India’s preparation ahead of the Asia Cup final against Pakistan has been near perfect, except two glaring concerns—Suryakumar Yadav’s form and fielding woes. India’s skipper was once the No. 1 T20I batter in the world, but now fans are concerned that Suryakumar’s form has fallen off a cliff right when India need him the most.
If we look back on the captain’s last nine innings, he has only managed 87 runs and has averaged 12.42 with a strike rate of 112.98. In the last few matches that the team has played in the Asia Cup, he has scored a meagre 59 runs in four knocks, and his scores looked like this—7*, 47*, 0, 5 and 12. To find his last fifty, one would have to go back 14 innings ago. A stark contrast to the purple patch that made him the face of India’s middle order.
Although Suryakumar’s decline has been somewhat gradual, it is difficult to not notice. After averaging 45 in 2022 and 2023, Surya went below 30 in 2024. In the T20Is fixtures that he’s participated in this year, his average has been around 12, barely touching a run a ball. The numbers are concerning for someone who is known for his 360-degree strokeplay.
Some fans are of the opinion that captaincy has added a layer of complexity. Although he has emphasised on “flexibility” and having the ability to bat up and down the order, him being shuffled up and down the order could be a reason for a disturbance in his rhythm. He has mentioned in press conferences before “Every batter should be flexible in their approach except the openers.
Batters go through ups and downs when it comes to their form, the concern here is not the form in itself but the fact that India will face Pakistan in the final. And on their best day, Pakistan can be a real threat. The key here is “pressure”. On and off field tensions are running high, players have been pulled up by the ICC while administrators have been provocative. All of this has led to a huge simmer ahead of the finals.
Pakistan would sense an opportunity to take the win on Sunday. Suryakumar’s spark and batting in the middle could be the difference between lifting the trophy or watching it slip away. The question is whether their skipper can rediscover his magic when the pressure is at its peak.
Also Read: IND vs SL: India go gung ho, put up highest total of the tournament
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