Suryakumar pulls his weight both as a batter and captain

Since the conclusion of India’s seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Suryakumar Yadav’s walk straight back to the changing room, alongside Shivam Dube, without exchanging handshakes with the opposition has garnered more attention than the cricketing action that unfolded on a sultry Sunday evening.

Amid all the commotion of the last 48 hours, the significance of Suryakumar’s unbeaten 47 off 37 deliveries in the larger scheme of things is that it halts a lean stretch of form. For, this was just the third instance of the 35-year-old crossing 40 since he took over as captain in July 2024 in the wake of the T20 World Cup triumph. In his last eight innings coming into the Asia Cup, his highest score was 21. In 17 matches as India skipper, his tally reads 312 runs at a paltry average of 22.28. If his recent record for India had stood out like a sore thumb, it was also because his run before taking over the reins was altogether sublime.

Particularly considering the stakes against Pakistan, the genial Mumbaikar kept some of his patented shots behind the wicket in the locker and simply got the job done. “If you play against any team, there is pressure of course. If you don’t play under pressure, there is no fun,” the India skipper said in a media interaction. “Yes, the numbers are up and down, but what can you do? It’s a game. You have to try to get better. Even today, if something goes up and down, it’s okay. But I liked it. The way I finished the match, it was important to stay there.”

Besides showing poise on the field, he also stepped up for the post-match media formalities and cordially explained his team’s position on not shaking hands with Pakistan’s players before or after the game. Going into next year’s T20 World Cup where the pressure will be firmly on India to defend the title, Suryakumar’s wherewithal to handle thorny matters will be important.

In India’s two games at this event, Suryakumar strode out at No. 3 regardless of who in the left-right opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill was dismissed. But he reiterated that nobody in the middle-order is fixated about a particular spot.

“Everyone in the team, except for the openers, should be prepared to bat at any number. If you are flexible to bat anywhere, it becomes a very dangerous team,” he said.