Rohit Sharma Backs Suryakumar Leadership But Flags Form Crisis for Team India

India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav’s prolonged dip in form has emerged as a key concern for the national team ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, set to be hosted in India. Former T20I captain Rohit Sharma has openly addressed the issue, warning that Suryakumar’s struggles with the bat could have a ripple effect on the entire batting lineup if not resolved in time.

Speaking in an interview with Star Sports, Rohit stressed that T20 cricket demands collective consistency and that the failure of even one key batter weakens the overall unit. He pointed out that India’s strength lies in its depth, but losing one effective batter due to poor form reduces the lineup’s impact significantly. Rohit bluntly noted that when Suryakumar fails to deliver, the batting order as a whole suffers.

Suryakumar, who was once the world’s top-ranked T20I batter for nearly two years, endured a difficult 2025 in international cricket, struggling to score runs with his usual freedom. The slump has triggered debate around India’s middle-order stability as the World Cup approaches, with expectations high from a player known for his innovation and match-winning ability.

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Despite his criticism, Rohit was quick to praise Suryakumar’s leadership qualities. Following Rohit’s retirement from T20 internationals, Suryakumar was handed the captaincy, and Rohit said the Mumbai batter has a strong understanding of the game and knows how to bring the best out of his teammates. He added that leadership and batting form are separate issues, and both need to be addressed independently.

Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said his team enters the upcoming five-match T20I series against India with confidence, citing recent successes across formats. New Zealand recently defeated India 2–1 in an ODI series and previously registered a historic Test series clean sweep in 2024, despite missing several senior players.

Santner said playing India in Indian conditions offers ideal preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026, underlining that the series is not just about results but also about readiness for the global tournament.

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