Asia Cup 2025: 'Interesting to see how he bats after the surgery' - Former India batter explains Suryakumar Yadav's importance

Experienced Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane pointed out that T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav did not have a memorable series with the bat against England earlier this year. The latter only managed 28 runs from five innings at a strike rate of 116.66. However, the former India Test captain mentioned Suryakumar's glorious comeback during the subsequent Indian Premier League (IPL), where he became the first batter to register 25-plus scores in 16 consecutive innings in the tournament's history.

Suryakumar finished as the second-highest run-getter in IPL 2025, amassing 717 runs at an average of 65.18 and a strike rate of 167.91. Rahane described Suryakumar as a dangerous batter but said that it will be interesting to see how he goes about his business after undergoing a sports hernia surgery in June.

"Didn't have a good series against England, but came back to form in IPL with five fifties and finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament with a healthy strike rate. We all know Surya is a dangerous batter. In this format, he has done really well. But it will be interesting to see how he goes about his batting, especially after the surgery," Rahane said on his YouTube channel.

He is a proactive captain: Ajinkya Rahane

Rahane praised Suryakumar for his captaincy, saying that he has been proactive with his decision-making. The former Kolkata Knight Riders captain also said that Suryakumar's performance with the bat will be crucial for the Men in Blue during the Asia Cup.

"As a captain, he has been fantastic. He is a proactive captain, led the team really well in the past, but I feel, in this Asia Cup, his batting will be really important," he added.

India find themselves in Group A in the Asia Cup. The defending champions will begin their campaign on Wednesday, September 10, against the UAE in Dubai. Pakistan and Oman are the other two teams in this group. Meanwhile, Group B comprises Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, and Bangladesh.