'His job is not to do just the toss' - Captain Suryakumar Yadav under scrutiny for poor batting form

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has not minced words while speaking about Suryakumar Yadav's slump in batting form over the last few months. Suryakumar has scored only 119 runs in his past 10 T20I innings while averaging a dismal 13.22, which Chopra feels is that he must overcome, also being the captain of the side and an important part of the batting unit.

Chopra reminded that the Indian captain's main role was to be amongst the runs as well and not just be available for tosses and manage fields. The Agra-born also highlighted the fact that Suryakumar has not managed to get big scores under his belt in the shortest format of the game, keeping in mind the important T20 World Cup 2026, beginning February 7.

“You are the team's captain, but a captain's job is not just to do the toss and manage the bowlers. It's not just about making the strategy. If you bat in the top four, your primary role is to score runs. It's been many matches. If you have an average of 14 in 17 innings and the strike rate is also not very good, you don't have a single fifty, and have crossed 25 just twice, it's been a problem on either side of the IPL,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.

Chopra also took into account the run of form of Suryakumar's deputy and the opening batter Shubman Gill. Notably, the ace batter has also been finding it difficult to get going in the 20-over format, having registered just four runs including a duck in the couple of matches so far in the ongoing five-match series against South Africa.

“If you are playing at No. 3 or No. 4 and are not scoring runs, and they aren't being scored consistently and over a long period of time, you won't be that confident when you start the [T20] World Cup. So, Suryakumar Yadav, the captain, and Shubman Gill, the vice-captain, scoring runs is absolutely imperative,” he added.

India are currently engaged in a five-match series against the Proteas. Suryakumar and Shubman Gill have not had the best of outings so far. The duo have aggregated only 21 runs in four innings across the first couple of games of the assignment, which is not a great outcome in the context of the Indian batting unit failing to make an impact.

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The third T20I of the series is scheduled to played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala on December 14. The Men in Blue will hope that the Suryakumar-Gill duo will start firing in the remainder of the series.