I Am Out of Runs but Not Out of Form,” Says Suryakumar Yadav After Another Low Score in India’s 3rd T20I Win

India registered a convincing seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the third T20 International to take a lead in the series, but Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav’s lean patch with the bat continued, raising questions despite the team’s success.

Chasing a modest target of 118 runs, India completed the chase without much urgency. Suryakumar Yadav struggled for fluency and scored 12 runs off 11 balls before being dismissed by Lungi Ngidi. It was only in the 16th over, after Shivam Dube smashed a four and a six, that India finally sealed the match.

“Not Out of Form, Just Out of Runs”

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Suryakumar addressed concerns about his form with confidence.

“I’ve been batting beautifully in the nets. When the runs have to come, they’ll come. I am definitely not out of form, just out of runs,” said the Indian skipper.

Despite his reassurance, Suryakumar’s recent numbers paint a worrying picture.

Numbers Tell a Different Story

So far in 2025, Suryakumar has played 18 innings, scoring 213 runs at an average of 14.20 and a strike rate of 125.29. These figures are a sharp contrast to his career T20I record, where he boasts an average of 35.67 and an impressive strike rate of 163.60.

The dip in form has been noticeable since India’s triumph at the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the inconsistency has continued into the current season, suggesting that this is not just a brief slump.

Captain Happy With Team’s Response

While individual form remains a concern, Suryakumar was pleased with how the team bounced back after the loss in the second T20I.

“This sport teaches you a lot. What matters is how you come back into a series after a defeat. We went back to basics and did the same things we did in Cuttack, and the results were in our favour,” he said.

He also highlighted the team’s discussions following the defeat in Chandigarh, particularly among the bowlers, which helped set the tone for the win in the third match.

Victory With Unanswered Questions

India’s win has given them a crucial edge in the series, but the captain’s lack of runs remains a talking point. With major international tournaments ahead, the Indian team management will be hoping that Suryakumar Yadav rediscovers his trademark rhythm sooner rather than later.

For now, India march forward with a series lead — but with their captain still searching for runs.

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