Asia Cup 2025 final: Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav under scanner ahead of clash against Pakistan

Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan has voiced concerns over Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav’s lackluster form in the ongoing Asia Cup. Despite India remaining unbeaten in the tournament, Surya has struggled to make a significant impact with the bat. Apart from an unbeaten 47 against Pakistan in the group stage, he has produced a series of low scores in the Super 4 stage, including 0, 5, and 12, raising questions about his consistency.

In contrast, last year, Suryakumar was in explosive form—he amassed 420 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 155, registering four fifties along with 40 fours and 22 sixes, though 35% of his deliveries faced were dots. Fast forward to 2025, his numbers have dipped, with just 99 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 110—a slump many attribute to his frequent changes in the batting order.

Pathan emphasized Surya’s inconsistency at the international level, noting that despite strong performances in the IPL, he has struggled to produce substantial scores for India. His dismissals while attempting a sweep shot have been a recurring issue.

“If his bat performs, it will also boost the team’s performance. Suryakumar getting out while trying a sweep is certainly a concern, and this has been a trend throughout the year. He’s managed one or two good innings in international cricket, but the IPL form hasn’t translated to international success,” Pathan said during an interaction.

Surya’s frequent dismissals while attempting the sweep, coupled with a concerning strike rate—12 runs off 13 balls in the last match against Sri Lanka—highlight the need for adjustment.

“He needs to overcome this slump. In commentary during the last match, we discussed how it’s better to play straight when out of form, especially against fast bowlers, but he was dismissed playing a sweep against a spinner. The team will benefit greatly if he regains his form,” Pathan added.

It will be crucial for Suryakumar to find his rhythm in Sunday’s final against Pakistan. Having scored a solid unbeaten 47 against them in the group stage, he now faces the challenge of replicating or surpassing that performance in the title clash.