Former Indian skipper Anil Kumble feels Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav’s hot and cold form is not a cause of concern ahead of the semifinal clash against England. Yadav has scored 231 runs in seven matches of the T20 World Cup 2026 at an average of 38.50 and a strike rate of 135.88.

Barring scoring a match-winning knock of 84 runs off just 49 balls against the USA, SKY hasn’t been at his absolute best in the ongoing T20I showpiece. 

Yadav scored only 18 runs off 16 balls in the last game against the West Indies and he would need to lead from the front against England.

Anil Kumble said on ESPN Cricinfo, “If you look at the West Indies game, even though his strike rate was low, but the partnership’s strike rate was not low. Sanju Samson was making up for it. Suryakumar will be playing at his home ground. He plays for the Mumbai Indians, and for Mumbai as well. He knows how to play there. He can use angles, So, I don’t think it’s a cause for concern.

“If Suryakumar Yadav gets a good start, then you will definitely get to see old Surya’s batting,” Kumble went on to add.

The former leg-spinner backed India as favorites as he highlighted that England has been scratchy throughout the tournament.

He added, “Definitely, I will be backing India. England is a dangerous side, but they have been scratchy throughout the World Cup. Someone or the other has come and won them games. Will Jacks, he is definitely an important player, with the ball and the bat. But most of the Indian players are in form. If you compare that with England, then only 2-3 are in form.”

India will take on England in the second semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Thursday.