Continuing his exceptional run from the New Zealand and South Africa series, Suryakumar Yadav has carried his elite form straight into the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Indian T20I captain delivered a masterclass at his home ground, the Wankhede Stadium, scoring a match-winning 84 against the USA in India’s opening fixture. This innings was particularly vital as it rescued the team from an early batting collapse, proving his ability to perform under immense pressure.
Beyond his high-scoring exploits, Yadav has adapted his game to suit the team's needs during mid-innings stutters. He has produced several crucial "run-a-ball" knocks to stabilize the innings when the middle order faltered. These disciplined performances have earned him high praise from former T20 World Cup winner Irfan Pathan, who drew comparisons between Suryakumar’s current maturity and the legendary anchoring presence of former captain Virat Kohli.
Suryakumar Yadav is playing a Virat Kohli-type role: Irfan Pathan
Pathan noted that while Suryakumar is famous for his blistering strike rate and 360-degree stroke play, he has intentionally pivoted toward an anchor role in this tournament. This tactical shift, while resulting in a slight drop in his career strike rate, has provided the Indian lineup with much-needed reliability. Pathan highlighted that this evolution from a pure aggressor to a situational leader has been the defining feature of his World Cup campaign so far.
"Suryakumar Yadav has played 119 balls. He averages 54, and his strike rate is 136. He often plays with a strike rate of over 150, but he is playing a different role here. Especially that knock against the USA, it was tremendous. He is playing a Virat Kohli-type role," Pathan said on his YouTube.
India need to break the monotony of left-handed batters at the top: Pathan
In a selfless tactical shift, Suryakumar Yadav has moved down the order to bat at No. 4, vacating his usual No. 3 spot. This adjustment was made specifically to accommodate the rising star Tilak Varma, allowing the youngster to take on a more prominent role in the top order during the 2026 T20 World Cup.
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"Can Suryakumar Yadav come at No. 3? India need to break the monotony of left-handed batters at the top against off-spinners. Even if the off-spinner is not bowling, if there are back-to-back left-handers, it becomes easy for the opposition to cut that angle, " he added.