Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed his prolonged batting struggles candidly ahead of the five-match series against New Zealand, starting with the first T20I in Nagpur on January 21, 2026. Once the world’s top-ranked T20I batter, SKY has endured a tough phase since taking over captaincy, with his last half-century coming in October 2024. His form dipped sharply in 2025, managing only modest runs across multiple innings, raising concerns just weeks before the T20 World Cup 2026.

In a pre-match press conference, Suryakumar remained composed and defiant, emphasizing he won’t alter his core approach. “I’ve been short of runs, but I can’t change my identity. I have decided to keep doing what I have been doing for the last three or four years, as that has brought me a lot of success,” he stated. He added that if runs come, great; otherwise, it’s back to the nets, where he continues batting as always.

The skipper highlighted the team-first mindset in cricket, contrasting it with individual sports. “Had I been playing an individual sport like TT or tennis, I would have worried about my form. But this is a team sport, and my first responsibility is to ensure that my team does well,” he explained. He stressed prioritizing the success of the 14 other players over personal milestones, expressing contentment as long as the team performs.

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Suryakumar also discussed batting order flexibility, noting better stats at No. 4 but openness to No. 3 if needed, especially with Tilak Varma injured and Ishan Kishan stepping in. This series against New Zealand serves as India’s crucial preparation for defending their T20 World Cup title, putting pressure on SKY to rediscover his explosive form.

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