Can Suryakumar Yadav Regain Form to Lead India at the T20 World Cup?
Synopsis
As the T20 World Cup approaches, former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting expresses confidence in India's captain Suryakumar Yadav despite his recent struggles. With a disappointing performance leading up to the tournament, Ponting urges Yadav to trust his game. Additionally, the appointment of Axar Patel as vice-captain signals India's strong depth ahead of their title defense.
Key Takeaways
Ricky Ponting is confident in Suryakumar Yadav 's abilities.
Yadav has scored 218 runs in 19 innings this year.
Axar Patel has been appointed vice-captain for the T20 World Cup.
Shubman Gill's exclusion shows the depth of Indian cricket.
Yadav is encouraged to trust his aggressive style of play.
New Delhi, Jan 5 (NationPress) Ricky Ponting, the former Australian cricketer, has expressed his support for the struggling Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav as the T20 World Cup approaches, beginning on February 7. Despite his recent form slump, where he has scored only 218 runs in 19 innings with a disappointing strike rate of 123.16 in 2025, Ponting remains confident in Yadav's abilities and encourages him to embrace his aggressive playing style.
“It's quite surprising given his current form. He has consistently been a strong contributor for India in T20 cricket and has unfortunately struggled recently,” Ponting stated during an interview with ICC. “When he's at his best, he tends to take a few balls to settle in before unleashing his full potential,” he added.
Ponting emphasized the importance of Yadav trusting himself, saying, “He needs to focus on scoring rather than worrying about getting out. He has proven himself among the world's elite in T20 cricket; now it's time to show it again.”
In addition, Ponting welcomed the selection of Axar Patel, age 31, as vice-captain for the tournament, highlighting his all-round skills as India aims to be the first team to successfully defend their T20 title.
“Patel has consistently been a key player for them,” Ponting remarked. “He has been utilized as a pinch hitter and has been instrumental in creating a left-hand/right-hand combination, while also being reliable with his left-arm off-spin.”
Ponting expressed surprise over Shubman Gill, the captain in ODI and Test formats, being left out of the T20 World Cup squad, but he commended the depth of the Indian batting lineup. Gill has struggled for runs, totaling just 291 runs in 15 innings, with a top score of 47.
“I was shocked by that selection,” Ponting mentioned while speaking with host Sanjana Ganesan on the latest episode of The ICC Review.
“I am aware his recent performance in white-ball cricket hasn't been stellar. However, the last time I saw him play well was during the Test series against England in the UK, where he was outstanding.”
He noted that the abundance of talent allowed selectors to omit a player of Gill’s caliber.
“While I'm surprised by the decision, it does reflect the strength of Indian cricket,” Ponting concluded. “When a player as talented as Shubman Gill doesn’t make the World Cup squad, it highlights the wealth of talent available.”
Point of View
The Indian cricket team is facing a pivotal moment as they head into the T20 World Cup. Suryakumar Yadav's current form raises questions, but his past performance provides hope. The decision to include Axar Patel as vice-captain showcases the depth of talent available. As the nation rallies behind our team, we must remain optimistic about our chances of defending the title.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Suryakumar Yadav's recent performance?
Suryakumar Yadav has scored only 218 runs in 19 innings with a strike rate of 123.16 in 2025.
Who is Axar Patel and what is his role?
Axar Patel has been appointed vice-captain for the T20 World Cup due to his all-round capabilities and consistent performance.
Why was Shubman Gill left out of the squad?
Shubman Gill's exclusion surprised many, including Ricky Ponting, but highlights the depth of talent in Indian cricket.
When does the T20 World Cup start?
The T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7.
What does Ponting advise Yadav to do?
Ponting advises Yadav to focus on scoring runs and trust his abilities rather than worrying about getting out.
