As India gear up to defend their Asia Cup title, the spotlight firmly falls on Suryakumar Yadav, not just as the team’s premier batter but now as its T20I captain. With the T20 World Cup 2026 just five months away and Shubman Gill emerging as a strong leadership contender, the upcoming Asia Cup in the UAE presents a pivotal chapter in SKY’s journey as captain.

Suryakumar’s credentials with the bat are well established. Over the last six months, he has maintained his position as the No. 1 ranked T20I batter. Yet, questions had begun to surface after a disappointing run post the 2024 T20 World Cup final, where India fell short. In the aftermath, he averaged just 18.42 across 14 T20I innings, prompting doubts over his form and consistency on the big stage.

However, IPL 2025 proved to be a timely resurgence. Suryakumar silenced critics with a scintillating campaign, amassing 717 runs at an average of 65.18, and an explosive strike rate of 167.92. That season not only reaffirmed his status as a world-class batter but also restored confidence in his ability to anchor India’s batting unit.