New Delhi, Oct 28 (NationPress) As India gears up to take on Australia in a crucial T20I series, part of their preparations for the 2024 T20 World Cup, former wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel emphasizes the need for captain Suryakumar Yadav to regain his form and break free from his recent struggles with the bat.

Considered one of the most explosive batters in T20 cricket, Suryakumar has been facing a tough time at the crease, managing only 72 runs during India's successful Asia Cup campaign in the UAE.

In 2025, he has accumulated just 100 runs over 11 innings, failing to score a fifty in his last 14 T20I appearances. Since assuming captaincy last year after Rohit Sharma's retirement from the format post the T20 World Cup win, Suryakumar has managed 330 runs in 20 matches—an alarming statistic for a player of his stature.

"More than his personal performance, it's crucial for the team that Surya finds his rhythm. We all know his capabilities as a batter. When he starts scoring, he can utterly dismantle the opposition. Thus, if Surya can get some runs on the board, it would be immensely advantageous for the team," Patel, a JioStar expert, stated during a virtual media day ahead of the first T20I, scheduled to take place at Canberra’s Manuka Oval on Wednesday.

India is entering this series on the back of winning their last nine bilateral T20I series and has triumphed in seven of their last eight matches against Australia in T20s, including an ongoing three-match winning streak against the side led by Mitchell Marsh.

For many Indian batters, adapting to the extra bounce offered by Australian pitches, particularly with their significantly larger boundaries, will be intriguing. Patel believes India should maintain their aggressive batting approach that has consistently yielded success.

"India shouldn't alter their strategy at all. You only tweak your approach when something has gone awry. India has been playing exceptional cricket in recent years, particularly in this format. So, I don't think they need to change anything. While the conditions might differ, it's about acclimatizing and trusting yourself," he remarked.

Comparing to India's series win in South Africa last year, Patel explained, "In Australia, the new ball does swing a bit more. However, this Indian team has previously succeeded in South Africa with the same mindset. So, adjustments will primarily revolve around the bounce."

"With larger grounds, it's essential to strategize how to utilize those expansive boundaries. On smaller grounds, one must identify areas where big shots can land. All these factors require on-ground assessment, and I am confident this Indian team is well-prepared to adapt accordingly," he added.

In the Asia Cup, vice-captain Shubman Gill returning to the top alongside Abhishek Sharma meant that wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson was repositioned to number five. Although occasionally hesitant, Samson showcased signs of adjusting to his new batting role with crucial scores of 39 in a Super Over win against Sri Lanka and 24 in the last over against Pakistan.

Patel concluded by expressing optimism for Samson's performance in Australia as a number five batter, stating, "We observed during the Asia Cup how the Indian team aimed to instill confidence in Sanju Samson about his batting position. He is adapting, and we witnessed that as well. After the Asia Cup, I anticipate Sanju will deliver even better results in this series."

Don't miss the action from the first T20 of India’s tour of Australia 2025, taking place on Wednesday, October 29, at 1:45 PM IST, live on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.