With only seven T20Is remaining before Suryakumar Yadav and his boys kickstart their 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, each match now carries significance. While a victory in the fourth T20I against the Proteas would hand India a 14th straight T20I series triumph, the more compelling subplot lies elsewhere — top-order issues, and the poor form of both the captain and vice-captain.
All eyes will be on Suryakumar and Shubman Gill, with their recent form becoming a concern as the marquee event approaches. Former India cricketer, Manoj Tiwary, too shared his concern in an exclusive chat with RevSportz. According to Manoj, leading a side alone should not guarantee selection, performance should. And if “India want to win the T20 World Cup next year, decisions must be fair and based on contribution, not reputation”.
Here are the excerpts:
Q: Are you concerned about the form of Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill?
Manoj: Yes, absolutely. It is concerning because they are the captain and vice-captain of the Indian cricket team. Ideally, a captain should lead from the front with performances. Having runs behind you gives confidence when you step onto the field. While both are confident individuals and express it through their body language and communication, runs create a very different atmosphere altogether.
Q: How important is it for a captain to score runs, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching?
Manoj: It is extremely important. If you analyse teams that have won ICC trophies in the past, you will notice that most players contribute significantly, whether batters, bowlers, or all-rounders. Everyone must contribute to win a major tournament. As captain, you are expected to score and lead by example.
Q: Suryakumar has not scored a T20I half-century since October 2024. Is that worrying?
Manoj: Yes, it is concerning. He is a terrific player and one of India’s most talented cricketers. However, he needs to analyse what is going wrong—mentally, technically, and in his game plan. From (my) observation, it seems he is rushing too much and playing unnecessary shots early in his innings. If he settles for even 10 balls, with proper cricket shots, he has the ability to accelerate later.
Q: So, could this lean patch affect Suryakumar’s captaincy?
Manoj: I do not think it is affecting his captaincy. From what is visible, his leadership is excellent. He interacts well with players, stays calm, and makes composed decisions. However, batting is important because if you are not contributing with the bat, it can affect your confidence when leading and motivating the team.
Q: Was it necessary to bring Shubman Gill into the T20 set-up?
Manoj: In my opinion, it was not required at this point. India already had a proven opener in Sanju Samson, who performed well in South Africa and Bangladesh, scoring back-to-back centuries in T20 cricket. It appears he (Shubman) was brought in as part of a long-term plan to make him an all-format captain. If Gill starts scoring consistently and Suryakumar does not, the captaincy could eventually move to Gill. However, before leadership responsibilities, he must perform with the bat.
Q: How do you assess Gill as a T20 batter?
Manoj: Gill has a solid technique that works well in Tests and ODI cricket. However, T20 cricket demands a higher strike rate and impact. He needs to adapt his game. Especially when someone like Sanju Samson, who can strike at 180–200, is sitting in the dugout, the pressure naturally builds.
Q: Does the team management protect players regardless of form?
Manoj: The management seems to be backing players strongly under the name of transition. As long as the team is winning, players feel secure. External pressure is minimal, but internal pressure to score and play at a high strike rate remains. If a vice-captain is not contributing and a proven performer is sitting outside, selectors and coaches must make tough decisions based on the team’s goals.
Q: Would changing the batting order help Gill regain his form?
Manoj: No. Changing the batting order just to help an individual find form shifts focus away from the team’s objectives. The priority should always be the team’s success, not accommodating an individual at the cost of results.
Q: What is your final takeaway?
Manoj: Leadership should not guarantee selection. Performance should. If India wants to win the World Cup, decisions must be fair, bold, and based on contribution, not reputation or future planning alone.
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