Ahead of the India vs. Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai, former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has publicly backed struggling Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav. With a career T20I average of almost 38, Suryakumar has recently struggled to score runs.
Ashwin thinks that more than a lack of form, Suryakumar Yadav aggressive style of play is to blame for his recent lean patch.
Suryakumar Yadav has only amassed 71 runs in five innings at the UAE continental tournament, including an undefeated 47 against Pakistan in the group stage. Since assuming the Indian captaincy, he has yet to produce a noteworthy innings and is currently averaging a meagre 23.66.
As strike rates are frequently more significant than averages in the T20 format, the former all-rounder underlined that Suryakumar Yadav has been taking more chances since taking the captaincy. Additionally, Ashwin stated that the Indian captain is adopting Rohit Sharma’s batting attitude, which is characterised by Sharma’s complete dedication to an aggressive style at the crease.
People claim that Suryakumar Yadav average fell after taking on the role of captain.
However, that marked the beginning of a new kind of cricket. He shouldn’t be averaging forty, in my opinion. When we think about this average, we always decline in T20 cricket. As captain, Surya is playing a really risky game, which is fantastic. This was demonstrated by Rohit, who consistently committed to aggressiveness and put no value on his wicket. Ashwin posted on his YouTube channel, “Surya is following this, coming in at different slots, not always at three.”
“I’m far more satisfied if Surya averages 25 but hits at 170 than if he hits 40 at a lower strike rate. Don’t pressure him or go after him for this. Impact, not average, is what T20 cricket need,” he continued.
Despite his batting difficulties, Suryakumar has guided Team India to six straight wins, making them the only team in the tournament without a loss and earning a spot in the 2025 Asia Cup. On Sunday, September 28, the Men in Blue will play their bitter rivals, Pakistan, in the championship match at the Dubai International Stadium.
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