Published By: Sanchari Das

IND vs. ENG T20I: Is Captaincy Taking a Toll on SKY's T20I Form?

Exploring How Captaincy Has Impacted Suryakumar Yadav's Batting in T20Is

There was a time when Suryakumar Yadav was untouchable in T20I cricket. His dominance made him a force to reckon with. But in recent times, the tables have turned. While other batters are shining with consistent performances, SKY seems to be struggling. The turning point? His captaincy. In his first T20I as captain, against England at Eden Gardens, Surya recorded a duck—a rare blemish for the dynamic batter.

The captaincy conundrum

Captaincy appears to be affecting Suryakumar Yadav's game significantly. During 2022-2023, he amassed 1,897 runs, averaging over 47 with a stunning strike rate of 173.8. That period accounted for 73% of his career runs. His numbers have taken a dive since becoming India's full-time T20I captain. In nine matches under his leadership, he has scored just 230 runs, averaging 23.00. His strike rate remains impressive at 165.46, but the consistency is missing.

SKY's Dip in 2024

2024 has been a rough year for SKY as a batter. With just 429 runs in 17 matches at an average of 26.81, this could be his worst calendar year in T20Is. Despite four fifty-plus scores, he has failed to live up to the standards he set in previous years. Fans are starting to wonder: is the added responsibility of leadership weighing him down?


The Sri Lanka series showcased a mixed bag of performances. He scored 92 runs in three innings with an average of 30.67, including a solitary fifty. The Bangladesh series was slightly better, with a standout 75 off 35 balls in one game, but his other two innings yielded only 37 runs. His form plummeted against South Africa, managing just 26 runs in three innings at an average of 8.67.

A Captain but Not a Consistent Batter

Since he was appointed captain, Suryakumar has struggled to find his rhythm. As captain, he has scored 230 runs in nine innings with two fifty-plus scores. However, the alarming trend of four single-digit scores in those matches raises questions about his form. As a pure batter earlier in 2024, he played eight innings during the T20 World Cup, amassing 199 runs at an average of 28.43. The contrast is stark.

Moments of glory

Despite his struggles with the bat, SKY has had moments of brilliance as a leader. His captaincy debut came shortly after India's heartbreaking ODI World Cup Final loss to Australia in November 2023. He proved his potential as a skipper when leading India to a 4-1 series win over Australia. A 3-0 sweep against Sri Lanka in early 2024 further cemented his place as a leader.

Notably, his team boasts an impressive win rate of 80% under his leadership, winning 15 out of 18 matches. SKY's leadership skills were on full display during the T20 World Cup 2024, where India emerged victorious. His match-winning catch in the final against South Africa became a defining moment, earning him the admiration of fans and teammates alike.

Can SKY find balance?

Suryakumar Yadav has a stellar track record, both as a batter and as a captain. However, finding a balance between leadership and batting performance remains a challenge. His contributions to Indian cricket as a leader are undeniable, but the team needs the old SKY—the SKY who could dismantle any bowling attack. As India prepares for upcoming challenges, all eyes will be on their skipper. Can he silence his critics and rediscover his magic with the bat? Or will the burden of captaincy continue to take its toll? Only time will tell.