Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting is taken aback by Suryakumar Yadav's poor form over the last 18 months. Ponting believes the Indian captain should focus on scoring runs rather than the fear of getting out before the T20 World Cup.
Once ranked as the world’s number one T20 batsman, Suryakumar Yadav had a disappointing performance in 2025. Across 21 matches (19 innings), he scored only 218 runs, with an average of 13.62 and a strike rate of 123.16. These figures are concerning for defending champions India as they approach next month’s T20 World Cup.
Advice from Ricky Ponting
Discussing Suryakumar's form, Ponting said, "It's a huge surprise for me, especially seeing his recent form. He was a strong and consistent performer for India's T20 cricket, but lately, he hasn’t found his rhythm."
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He added, "He's an intriguing player because when I've seen him at his best, he takes six, eight, or ten balls to set himself, and then unleashes his full range of shots, playing with immense confidence. Somewhat like Travis Head, it often seems like he has no fear of getting out."
Surprise Over Gill's Exclusion
Former Australian captain also expressed surprise at Shubman Gill's exclusion from the T20 World Cup team. Until the previous series before the World Cup, Shubman Gill was India's vice-captain.
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Ponting noted, "Yes, I was surprised to see that. I know that his white-ball form hasn’t been exceptional lately. But last time I saw him in the Test series in England, he batted so brilliantly; it's rare to see anyone do it as well."
He further remarked, revealing India's remarkable talent depth, "On one hand, I'm surprised, but on the other hand, it showcases Indian cricket's depth. If a player like Shubman Gill doesn’t make the World Cup squad, it's clear how many great players India has. Ponting also mentioned that for the T20 World Cup, India’s vice-captain Axar Patel might be the most reliable player in the tournament."
