Australia’s legendary captain and current Punjab Kings (PBKS) coach, Ricky Ponting has a piece of advice for India skipper Suryakumar Yadav ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. India’s title defense has a few chinks in their armour. After dropping vice-captain Shubman Gill, the current out-of-form player in the side is the skipper. Known for taking the game away from the opposition single-handedly, Suryakumar struggled with bat on the international stage in 2025, not scoring a single half-century. Ponting is surprised to see the 35-year-old struggle.
“That's as big a surprise for me, just looking at his recent form. He's been such a solid and consistent contributor for India in T20 cricket for a long time and just hasn't been able to find it of late,” Ponting said on the ICC review.
“He's an interesting one because when I've seen him play his best, he's taken six or eight or ten balls to get going and then just lets it all go.”
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Ponting compared Suryakumar to Australia opener Travis Head who backs himself to take apart opposition bowling attack.
“He plays all of his shots and backs himself and a bit like Travis Head, where it almost looks like they don't ever fear getting out,” he said.
Ponting’s advice to SKY
The 51-year-old wants Suryakumar to not worry about losing his wicket and think about scoring runs.
“That's what I'd say to him. I'd be saying, think about scoring runs, don't think about getting out. Trust yourself, back yourself. You're proven to be as good as anybody in the world in the T20 format and go and prove it to everybody once again,” he said.
Suryakumar’s T20I numbers in 2025
In 2025, Suryakumar played 21 T20Is. From 19 innings, he managed to score 218 runs at an average of 13.62 and strike rate of 123.16. His highest score in the calendar year was 47 not out which came against Pakistan in a T20 Asia Cup 2025 group stage match.
Last chance to get back in form
Suryakumar will look to have a fresh start against New Zealand in the five-T20I series which will work as preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026. The T20I series commences on January 21 in Nagpur.
Suryakumar has a good T20I record against the Kiwis. From eight innings, he has scored 284 runs at an average of 47.33 and strike rate of 153.51. He has a century and a fifty each against the BlackCaps.