Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has opined that Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav needs to score runs against bigger teams amid the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Barring scoring a brilliant knock of 84 runs off just 49 balls in the team’s opening game against the USA, SKY hasn’t been at his absolute best.
Yadav was dismissed after scoring 18 runs off 16 balls against the West Indies in the Super 8 clash of the T20I showpiece at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday. SKY has scored 231 runs in seven matches of the tournament at an average of 38.50 and a strike rate of 135.88.
Pathan said Abhishek Sharma’s form is a concern for the team after the left-hander was dismissed after scoring 10 runs off 11 balls against the Windies.
Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube Channel, “One concern is Abhishek Sharma’s form again. After scoring that fifty, it felt like he would continue making runs, but when he went for that shot, his back knee was bent too much and his body weight was falling backwards. Ideally, more weight should have been on the front foot, as that suits him better. He will need to pay attention to that. Suryakumar will need to score runs against bigger teams, and that is something he must keep in mind.”
Pathan also praised Tilak Varma for scoring a crucial knock of 27 runs off just 15 balls and giving a much-needed impetus to the team in the run-chase of 196.
He added, “Tilak Varma’s 27-run innings was also very crucial. When he came in, Roston Chase started bowling in the very next over. At first, it seemed like Tilak was taking his time, but they took 17 runs off Shamar Joseph’s next over and completely regained the momentum. Tilak likes pace, and that showed. But there is one thing I would like to say about him. As experts and fans, we always look at a batter’s numbers. Now his batting numbers may change because he might not get many opportunities to play long innings anymore. When you bat at number three, you face more deliveries. But when you bat lower down the order, your role changes.”
“And when the role changes, we also need to view the numbers in context. His average might drop unless he remains not out, which is a different case. If he plays in the middle overs and is required to play high-risk cricket or go for big shots when needed, like he did after reaching 27 when he tried to find a boundary over mid-off and got out while looking for the gap, then naturally the numbers may dip. So in such situations, it becomes the responsibility of the team management to come out publicly and explain this context,” he added.
India will take on England in the second semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Thursday.
