Suryakumar Yadav’s innings in the first T20I that would’ve given Indian fans hope ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Indian captain has strugled to rediscover the destructive consistency he had before the 2024 T20 World Cup, which had resulted in him being recognised by many as the best T20 batter in the world. In the first T20I against New Zealand on Thursday, though, Suryakumar scored 32 in 22 balls and formed a 99-run partnership with Abhishek Sharma which came in just 47 balls. Suryakumar said after the match that it was the perfect time for him to walk in to bat, with India under some pressure after the early dismissals of Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. “I felt good when I went in to bat. It was perfect time for me to go into bat. Good pressure situation,” said Suryakumar after the match. “And as I said earlier as well, I’ve been batting really well in the nets. It was just a matter of time when you play a few balls, bat the way I bat. And that doesn’t change my identity. I think it came naturally. I mean, whatever strokes I played, I’ve been practicing really well in the last 2-3 weeks. I’m at it similarly during the net session. Played a few practice games as well. So I was feeling good,” Suryakumar further said. Suryakumar’s initial downturn in form in 2024 after the T20 World Cup, which is also when he had taken over captaincy, was seen largely as a blip at the time. This assesment was strengthened by the fact that he had an exceptional season in the 2025 IPL for the Mumbai Indians. However, his form in international cricket fell even further after the T20 tournament. In 2025, Suryakumar scored just 218 runs 19 T20I innings at a strike rate of 123.16 and average of just 13.62. It was the first time in his career that he struck at less than 150 in a calendar year.
‘Doesn’t change my identity’: Suryakumar Yadav after showing glimpses of destructive best in India vs New Zealand 1st T20I
