Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar shared a blunt assessment on Suryakumar Yadav's poor form in T20Is following yet another batting failure against South Africa. The India skipper was dismissed for only 12 runs by Lungi Ngidi in the third T20I, continuing his rough patch in the format. Despite the Men in Blue's thumping 7-wicket victory, Suryakumar came under a lot of scrutiny over his form.
Gavaskar's advice for Suryakumar
Gavaskar feels that the 35-year-old needs to stop playing his signature pick-up shot until his form improves. Notably, Suryakumar lost his wicket while trying to play the same shot over fine leg in the third T20I. His shot failed to go over the boundary rope and was eventually caught by Ottneil Baartman off Ngidi.
"It has been a very, very productive shot for him. Now, when you are not in form, it's only gone up in the air instead of going the distance, and well inside the boundary. So maybe, until he starts to get going, he should look to keep that shot in cold storage. Because it's getting him out and India doesn't require Suryakumar Yadav scoring only 12 runs," Gavaskar said while commentating.
Suryakumar's latest batting failure has seen him go 21 T20I innings without a half-century and has only extended his rough patch in the format. With the 2026 T20 World Cup on the horizon, his form is a big reason to worry for the Men in Blue as he is expected to be one of their most important players in the tournament.
Suryakumar's wait for a fifty continues
The batter's last fifty in the format came in October, 2024 against Bangladesh. He had played a brilliant knock of 75 in that bencounter and his second notable knock came against Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup where he remained unbeaten on 47 and took the team to victory in the group stage clash. It remains to be seen as to if Suryakumar will be able to improve his form in the remaining two T20Is against South Africa.
Meanwhile, India currently lead the five-match assignment by 2-1 and will go on to seal the series if they win the fourth match that is set to be held on December 17 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.