Suryakumar confident of regaining form before World Cup

India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav on Saturday acknowledged that his lean patch with the bat has lasted longer than expected, but expressed confidence of regaining form ahead of the T20 World Cup.

“Ye waala patch thoda lamba ho gaya (this patch has stretched a bit too long),” Suryakumar said after India’s World Cup squad was announced. “I am sure everyone has seen this in their respective careers. I will get over it sometime. I know what to do and where things are going wrong.”

The 35-year-old has struggled for runs in 2025, managing just 218 runs from 21 T20Is at an average of 13.62 and a strike rate of 123.16, without a single fifty. The dip comes in stark contrast to his overall numbers till 2024, when he had four T20I hundreds and 21 fifties at a strike rate of 167.86.

Suryakumar said the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand would provide an opportunity to rediscover his rhythm before the World Cup. “I have got some time to work on it. We have the New Zealand series coming up and then the important T20 World Cup as well. You’ll definitely see Surya is back,” he said.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar backed the captain to return to form when it matters. “Over the last few years he has been the No. 1 T20 batter in the world, so we know what he brings to the table,” Agarkar said.

“He knows what he needs to do, and hopefully, come the World Cup, he is again the No. 1 batter in the world”.