IND vs SA 2025: ‘Suryakumar needs a stable position’ - Bangar provides clarity on his international struggles

Published - 13 Dec 2025, 21:37 IST | Updated - 13 Dec 2025, 21:40 IST

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar has pointed out that Suryakumar Yadav tends to perform significantly better for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) compared to his recent returns in international cricket. Despite being India’s T20I captain, the star batter has struggled for consistency in the format, with his last half-century coming 20 innings ago.

Since November 2024, Suryakumar has scored just 227 runs at an average of 13.35, a concerning dip in form. His struggles have continued in India’s ongoing five-match T20I series against South Africa, where he managed scores of 12 and 5 in the first two matches.

Suryakumar earned his place in the Indian setup on the back of his outstanding IPL performances, particularly for Mumbai Indians. In the previous IPL season, he amassed 717 runs in 16 matches at an impressive average of 65.18 and a strike rate of 167.92, including five half-centuries. These numbers underline his dominance in the franchise tournament.

However, those returns stand in stark contrast to his output in T20Is over the past year. Bangar suggested that India’s approach of maintaining a flexible batting order at the international level may have contributed to Suryakumar’s dip in form, preventing him from settling into a defined role.

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Looking ahead, India will face South Africa in the remainder of the ongoing series before shifting focus to a five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The fixtures will serve as crucial preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026, where India will hope for a return to form from their captain.

"It's also about the team's thought process. You want to keep the No. 3 to No. 7 or No. 8 positions flexible. However, MI gave him a stable position. If he came at No. 3, he was fixed at No. 3, no matter the match or the situation. The quality player he is, the more balls he plays, he can convert them in a better fashion," Bangar said on Star Sports.

"He shouldn't have the pressure of wickets behind him. Then he needs to bat differently. The earlier he comes at No. 3, the better it is. He scored runs at an average of 65 and a strike rate of 168 in 16 innings (in the IPL). However, if you see his international innings, it's a massive fall. He has an average of 14 and a strike rate of 126," he added.