India may have sealed a convincing 3-1 T20I series win over South Africa at home, but captain Suryakumar Yadav has candidly acknowledged that all is not perfect heading into the T20 World Cup scheduled for February–March 2026. Despite the series success, the Indian skipper admitted that his own batting form has been inconsistent throughout 2025, a year that has tested him more than any other phase of his career.
Speaking after India’s victory in the fifth and final T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Suryakumar addressed the obvious talking point with honesty and humour. Reflecting on his struggles, he remarked that the batter version of himself had “gone missing somewhere,” while expressing confidence that a strong comeback is on the horizon. As captain, however, he took pride in the collective performance of the team, highlighting how different players stepped up whenever the side found itself under pressure.
Statistically, 2025 has been a challenging year for Suryakumar Yadav in international T20s. The 35-year-old failed to register a single half-century, with his highest score being an unbeaten 47 against Pakistan during the Asia Cup. Across 20 matches, he scored 218 runs at an average below 14, with a strike rate that dipped well below his usual explosive standards. The run drought extended to 22 innings without a fifty, making it the toughest stretch of his career.
Interestingly, the contrast between his international form and domestic success has been stark. Suryakumar enjoyed a sensational IPL season with Mumbai Indians, piling up 717 runs, yet struggled to translate that momentum into India colours. With a crucial five-match T20I series against New Zealand still to come before the World Cup, expectations remain that the Indian captain will rediscover his rhythm at the right time.
On the team front, the final T20I against South Africa showcased the brand of cricket India is aiming to perfect. Half-centuries from Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma powered the hosts to a formidable total of 231, which proved enough for a comfortable 30-run win. Suryakumar emphasised that the side remained committed to playing fearless expressive cricket throughout the series, a mindset he felt had been missing in recent outings.
According to the captain, India’s approach was clear from the opening game. The team wanted to maintain relentless intent, back players to keep attacking once set, and express themselves across all departments. Against South Africa, that philosophy finally translated into consistent results, offering a timely confidence boost as preparations intensify for the global tournament.
