Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has expressed surprise at the drastic dip in form of Indian T20 skipper Suryakumar Yadav over the last 18 months, saying he must focus on scoring runs rather than overthinking dismissals as India prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Suryakumar, once ranked No.1 in T20I batting, has endured a difficult stretch through 2025. He managed only 218 runs in 21 matches (19 innings) at an average of 13.62 with a strike rate of 123.16, which has now become a worrying factor for the defending champions ahead of next month’s mega tournament.
Speaking on The ICC Review, Ponting said the Indian captain’s slump has been surprising, considering how dominant he has been in recent years.
“That’s as big a surprise for me, just looking at his recent form. He’s been such a consistent contributor for India in T20 cricket for a long time and just hasn’t been able to find it lately,” Ponting said.
Ponting believes Suryakumar must return to his natural fearless style of play.
“When he’s at his best, he takes a few balls to settle and then expresses himself freely. Players like him and Travis Head don’t fear getting out. I’d advise him to think about scoring runs, not about getting dismissed. Trust your game, back yourself—you’ve already proven you are one of the best in the world.”
The former Australia captain also reacted strongly to Shubman Gill’s omission from the World Cup squad, calling it unexpected.
“I couldn’t believe it. His recent white-ball form hasn’t been great, but the last time I saw him in England, he batted brilliantly. It shows India’s incredible depth if someone like Gill can miss out,” Ponting added.
Ponting further stated that Axar Patel, India’s vice-captain for the World Cup, will play a crucial role. He praised Axar’s versatility as a pinch hitter and his consistent impact with the ball.
“Patel’s been their go-to man lately. They’ve promoted him up the order, and he’s handled responsibility well. Plus, he remains extremely reliable with his left-arm spin,” Ponting said.
With the 20-team T20 World Cup starting February 7, all eyes will be on Suryakumar Yadav as India looks to defend their title.