'He won't be India's captain ... ': Suryakumar Yadav gets big warning from ex-India cricketer

India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav is facing scrutiny over a prolonged dip in form, having gone 20 innings without a fifty. Since November, the middle-order batter has scored just 227 runs at an average of 13.35, with his struggles continuing in the ongoing home series against South Africa, where he managed scores of 12 and 5 in the first two matches.




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The extended lean patch has prompted former India batter Aakash Chopra to weigh in on Yadav’s form and his responsibilities as captain.




"You are the team's captain, but a captain's job is not just to 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," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.


Chopra also pointed to the worrying numbers Yadav has accumulated over recent games.


"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," he added.


While raising concerns, Chopra was careful to clarify his position on Yadav’s leadership role ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka in February–March.


"I am not saying there is any doubt over Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy, or that he won't be India's captain in the World Cup. I am not suggesting that at all, but the truth is that he needs to score runs," Chopra explained.


The former India cricketer underlined the importance of strong performances from both the captain and vice-captain going into the global event.


"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 World Cup. So, Suryakumar Yadav, the captain, and Shubman Gill, the vice-captain, scoring runs is absolutely imperative," he concluded.





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