Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav is under mounting pressure as India aim to secure the five-match series against South Africa in the fourth T20I on Wednesday. While much attention has been on vice-captain Shubman Gill’s recent struggles, Yadav’s prolonged lean patch has become equally concerning for the defending champions.
The third T20I in Dharamsala offered Yadav an opportunity to rediscover his form during a modest 118-run chase. However, the shots that once defined his dominance yielded inconsistent results, and he fell to his signature pick-up stroke, continuing a trend of underwhelming performances. Despite the setback, Yadav remained confident, stating he was “not out of form, but definitely out of runs.”
Statistically, Yadav’s struggles are stark. He has averaged under 15 in the format this season and remains without a half-century in 2025, marking the longest such phase in his career. He has batted beyond 20 balls only twice, raising concerns ahead of the T20 World Cup less than two months away, when India will require their captain and premier batsman in peak form.
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Shubman Gill’s difficulties have compounded India’s challenges. His promotion to the opening slot has unsettled the top order, displacing Sanju Samson, who was eventually dropped despite promising partnerships earlier in the series. India are seeking the right combination to stabilise their batting lineup.
In team developments, Shahbaz Ahmed has been added to the squad following Axar Patel’s exit due to illness, potentially providing an opportunity for Kuldeep Yadav to feature more prominently. Jasprit Bumrah’s participation remains uncertain after missing the previous match, while Arshdeep Singh impressed with a player-of-the-match performance alongside Harshit Rana in Dharamsala.
The series has seen fluctuating fortunes. After South Africa dominated the opening game, India rebounded to win the next two matches convincingly. The Proteas, who have lost 18 of 28 T20Is since last year’s World Cup final, continue to search for a settled lineup and will be eager to keep the series alive in the fourth T20I.
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