Veteran Indian batter and legend Ajinkya Rahane has commented on India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav’s form ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. He pointed out that the swashbuckling batter had a forgettable home series against England earlier this year in January. While the Men in Blue won the five-match series 4-1, skipper Suryakumar Yadav had a dismal campaign with the bat. The 34-year-old finished with just 28 runs across five innings at a strike rate of 116.66.
However, Ajinkya Rahane noted that Suryakumar regained his mojo during the 2025 Indian Premier League playing for the Mumbai Indians. The Mumbai Indians star crossed the 25-run mark in all of his 16 innings of the season. He amassed 717 runs from 16 innings, the highest-ever by a non-opener in a single edition of the IPL. His runs came at an impressive strike rate of 167.91.
Ajinkya Rahane’s thoughts on Suryakumar Yadav’s form in the past
Ajinkya Rahane also highlighted that Suryakumar Yadav will be coming to the Asia Cup after undergoing a sports hernia surgery. Speaking on his You Tube channel, Rahane said: “Didn’t have a good series against England, but came back to form in IPL with five fifties and finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament with a healthy strike rate. We all know Surya is a dangerous batter. In this format, he has done really well. But it will be interesting to see how he goes about his batting, especially after the surgery.”
Suryakumar Yadav will continue being India’s T20I captain for the Asia Cup 2025. The Men in Blue will open their campaign on Wednesday, September 10th. They will face the United Arab Emirates at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.
Ajinkya Rahane weighs in on Suryakumar Yadav’s form in Asia Cup 2025
Ajinkya Rahane praised Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy. He mentioned that the batter has done a fantastic job as India’s T20I skipper. However, he emphasized that the veteran player’s batting contributions will be crucial for India’s success at the Asia Cup 2025.
In the same video, Ajinkya Rahane said: “As a captain, he has been fantastic. He is a proactive captain, led the team really well in the past, but I feel, in this Asia Cup, his batting will be really important.”
Suryakumar Yadav so far has captained India in 22 matches. He has 17 wins to his name and a win percentage of 77.27. As a skipper, he is yet to lose a bilateral T20I series.
But his biggest Test is set to come now as this will be his first multi-nation tournament as captain. Surya will be tested as a captain and must do well as a batter. Surya the batter has to help out Surya the captain one feels. His form will indeed be important for India doing well in this tournament. India has got the team will all their bases covered and got their balance right as well. They are spoilt for choices in every department.
As a captain, the biggest challenge for Surya will be to pick the right combination and get it right. It will not be easy to pick a XI out of 15 just as it was not easy selecting a 15 out of the talent pool that India has. India may start the tournament as favourites as they have the most balanced side on paper. But having it on paper is one thing, and performing to your best ability is another. India has to guard against complacency as other teams will come hard at them wanting to win against them.
We shall wait and see how things unfold in Asia Cup 2025 not only for captain Suryakumar Yadav but also for India as they look to win the continental event for the record 9th time. It’s not going to be easy and there will be challenges ahead, but India must embrace those challenges with open arms. The stage is set and we can’t wait for the tournament to get underway.
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