India captain Suryakumar Yadav has been going through a rough patch in T20Is and hasn't been able to contribute much with the bat for quite some time now. The 35-year-old has so far only scored a total of 139 runs in 12 innings in 2025 with his highest individual score being that of 47*. He did show signs of improvement in the first T20I of the five-match series against Australia and ended up unbeaten on 39 as the game eventually got abandoned due to rain.
Uthappa's advice for Suryakumar
Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa sent a clear message for Suryakumar amid his massive dip in form. He advised him to not experiment with his batting position and stick to the No.3 spot. Though the Men in Blue generally deploy Tilak Varma at the third position, it was Suryakumar who took the crease after the opening wicket of Abhishek Sharma fell during the first T20I against Australia. Uthappa also feels that the 35-year-old shouldn't come out to bat below the No.4 spot by any means.
“It’s like you are stuck between a rock and a hard place because it’s a decision where you need to see your performances and manage your captaincy as well. So it’s a very difficult decision to make. However, I feel he should come in one position. In my opinion, there is no better position than No. 3 for Suryakumar in T20 cricket," Uthappa said on his YouTube channel.
“If the top three get set, you can bring flexibility after that. You can bring left-right combinations. In the Asia Cup, they probably decided that Tilak Varma would come at No. 3 if a left-hander got out and Surya would come if a right-hander got out. That’s still alright, but Suryakumar Yadav shouldn’t come below No. 4. A top-order batter has to make a lot of adjustments if he has to bat below No. 4," he added.
Suryakumar's performance in 1st T20I
Suryakumar did have a great opportunity to put his string of low scores behind during the first T20I against Australia and he even looked to be in great touch. He had smashed three boundaries and two maximums in what was quite a solid knock, but couldn't go end his drought for a half-century as the weather ended up having the final say in Canberra.
With the first match of the series washed out, both India and Australia will be hoping to get a positive result and take the lead in the second game that will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 31.