Nagpur is set to host the first T20I of a thrilling five-match series between India and New Zealand on Wednesday. Fresh off their ODI series victory, the Kiwis enter with surging confidence, ready to challenge a determined Indian side aiming to seize early momentum.
All eyes will be on Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, whose leadership has kept the team unbeaten in T20Is. However, his personal batting form has hit a rough patch. In his last 25 innings, he hasn’t notched a single half-century, raising eyebrows in the camp.
The year 2025 has been particularly tough for SKY. Across 22 T20 matches, he averaged a meager 14 runs without a fifty, putting strain on the top order and forcing others to shoulder extra responsibility. This slump is a growing concern as India gears up for bigger battles.
Suryakumar has openly admitted in press conferences that he’s distant from runs, if not form. This New Zealand series, played just before the World Cup, offers the perfect stage for redemption. Strong showings here could propel India to series dominance and bolster their World Cup preparations.
Historically, he thrives against New Zealand. From 2021 to 2023, in eight T20Is, SKY amassed 284 runs at an average of 47.33 and a blistering strike rate of 153.51, including an unbeaten 111—his highest score.
In his T20 career spanning 99 matches and 93 innings, Suryakumar boasts 2,788 runs with four centuries and 21 fifties. Yet, the stakes are sky-high. Success in this series and the 2026 T20 World Cup will cement his future; prolonged struggles could jeopardize his spot post-tournament.
As the teams clash in Nagpur, Suryakumar’s bat will decide if India maintains its invincible streak or faces an early test.