Suryakumar Yadav will return to form in India vs Australia T20Is, says Irfan Pathan

Suryakumar Yadav doesn’t really look like him in T20Is this year. Once the best player in the format, the Indian skipper has struggled to find runs, managing just 100 in 12 innings at an average of 11.11 this year. For a player who was dominating the bowlers not too long ago, these numbers are a worrying decline, especially with the T20 World Cup less than five months away.

But as India prepare for their five-match T20I series in Australia, former all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes this could be the perfect stage for Suryakumar to bounce back. The 34-year-old had a superb IPL 2025 with 717 runs for Mumbai Indians (MI), and Pathan believes the surfaces Down Under could bring that same pace back into his international game.

Suryakumar’s thinness makes India slightly nervous

The Indian captain has always relied on touch and fearless intent. But this year, none of that really worked internationally. His success rate has fallen to 105.26, and the same bold range that once defined him seems to have abandoned him. Even though India’s middle order is brimming with talent, a misfiring Suryakumar has been one of the major talking points ahead of this series.

Pathan, however, just like Gautam Gambhir, is yet to press the panic button. He pointed out that every player is going through a tough time and Suryakumar’s class is too good to stay silent for long. Suryakumar himself did not ease his slump. Speaking in Canberra, Surya told reporters he feels good and may be short of runs and not out of shape. “I feel like I worked really hard. It’s not that I didn’t work hard before, I did back then too. I’ve had some good sessions at home and a few sessions here so I’m in a good space, that’s really important. Races will come eventually, but it’s important to work hard to achieve the team’s goal. he said.

Pathan backs SKY to thrive on Australian grounds

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan said the bounce and pace of Australian conditions could actually play into Suryakumar’s strengths.

“One concern is Suryakumar Yadav’s form. His strike rate is around 166, and no one has scored more runs than him in T20Is recently. But lately his average has dropped to around 20 and he hasn’t been able to turn his starts into big scores. His IPL form was excellent, but he didn’t carry it over to the international championships.” said Pathan.

“Still, I think the Australian pitches will help him get back into rhythm. He makes excellent use of the pace of the bowlers and bowls very well across the square of the wicket. Remember his first shot – a Jofra Archer shot using his pace? It’s his trademark. If the rebound works in his favor, he could easily return to form,» he added.

Looking ahead, Pathan also backed India to dominate the series and gave his prediction. “The first match will take place in Canberra at the Manuka Oval. In my opinion, if India plays their best cricket, they can win the series 4-1. Even though it is Australia, India seems to be the stronger team.

Suryakumar Yadav T20I Stats