Suryakumar Yadav, one of the world’s most dangerous T20 batsmen, made his domestic debut in 2010 but earned his maiden India cap 11 years later. Known for his explosive style, he has become a key player in India’s T20I lineup, with impressive records and match-winning performances.
Suryakumar Yadav made his T20I debut for India in 2021.
His breakthrough in international cricket came after stellar performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Suryakumar debuted in both T20Is and ODIs in 2021, followed by a Test debut in 2023. While his ODI and Test careers did not flourish, he quickly established himself as a powerhouse in T20 cricket.
Suryakumar made an immediate impact in T20Is, famously smashing Jofra Archer for a six on the very first ball he faced in international cricket. His dominance in the shortest format saw him rise to the No. 1 spot in the ICC Men’s T20I rankings in November 2022, a position he held for a significant period.
Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I record is nothing short of remarkable. In 81 matches, he has accumulated 2,596 runs, averaging 39 with a blistering strike rate of 167. His aggressive style of play has earned him four T20I centuries, the second-most in the history of the format, along with 21 fifties. This consistent performance has cemented his place as a pivotal figure in India’s batting lineup, known for his ability to turn games with his explosive strokeplay.
After Rohit Sharma’s retirement from T20Is in June 2024, Suryakumar was named as India’s new T20I captain, having already stepped in as interim skipper for a few matches prior to that. His leadership was seen as the natural progression, given his experience and leadership qualities in the shorter format. Despite the honor, his personal form with the bat has faced a slight dip since assuming the captaincy. While his attacking approach remains intact, evidenced by his strike rate of 165, his batting average has dropped, with a noticeable decline from 43 to 29 since taking on the captaincy.
In 19 innings as captain, Suryakumar has managed four fifties and a century. While these numbers reflect his ability to contribute significantly, they also highlight a slight dip in his consistency, which is a challenge he will likely look to address moving forward. Despite these fluctuations, he continues to be a central figure in India’s T20I setup, with his aggressive approach and leadership still crucial for the team’s success.
Let’s take a closer look at his stats as captain and non-captain.
Suryakumar Yadav’s stats in T20Is when not captaining:
In 61 T20I matches without the captaincy, Suryakumar Yadav has amassed 2,040 runs at an impressive average of 43 and a blistering strike rate of 168. His tally includes three centuries and 17 half-centuries.
Suryakumar Yadav’s stats in T20Is as captain:
Despite leading the side, Suryakumar Yadav has maintained his aggressive batting approach, evident in his impressive strike rate of 165. However, his run tally has taken a hit, with his average dropping to 29 as captain—significantly lower than his 43-run average when not leading the team.
In 19 innings as India’s T20I skipper, Suryakumar has registered four half-centuries and one century.
| Stat | As Captain | As Non-Captain |
|---|---|---|
| Innings Played | 19 | — |
| Runs Scored | — | — |
| Batting Average | 29 | 43 |
| Strike Rate | 165 | — |
| 50s | 4 | — |
| 100s | 1 | — |