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In the ongoing five-match T20I series between India and England in 2025, the home team currently leads by 2-0, with three more matches to play. While India’s position looks strong, there has been some concern over the performance of captain Suryakumar Yadav.
Despite leading the team to success, the 34-year-old has not been able to meet the high expectations placed on him, particularly with the bat. However, India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, has come out in full su💖pport of the skipper, offering an insightful perspective on the pressures fa🐻ced by players in the modern T20 format.
Suryakumar Yadav struggles with the bat in the first two matches
In the series opener, Suryakumar’s struggle with the bat was evident when he was dismissed in the 5th over of India’s innings. Facing Jofra Archer, who had made a poor start to the match, was caught off a leading edge after attempting to flick a slower delivery. Archer’s ball, which appeared to be a leg-cutter, sent the ball into the air, where Phil Salt safꦡely completed the catch. The skipper was out for a ducꦰk.
The challenge continued in the second T20I, where Suryakumar was dismissed in the 6th over of India’s batting. Brydon Carse bowled a well-directed delivery at 141.9 kph, which cramped the captain for room as he attempted to guide the ball to third man. Unfortunately, the ball hit the middle of his bat and crashed onto the stumps, sending the skipper back to the pavilion for 12 runs off 7 balls, with🃏 3 boundaries.
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Sitanshu Kotak defends skipper’s approach despite criticism
Kotak defended the captain and highlighted the team’s aggressive, fearless approach to cricket. He acknowledged the challenges faced by players like Suryakumar, noting that while he is performing well, expectations should be managed. Kotak emphasized that in the aggressive T20 format, players will sometimes fail due to the fearless intent required in their gameplay.
“Surya, I think he is performing, but sometimes I feel we also expect a lot. Every game, if we think Surya will perform. The game has become so aggressive, there is so much intent we have to play in the T20s, there will be a time when they get out because they are playing fearless,” said by Indian team batting coach via India Today.
Balancing fearless cricket with occasional failures
The batting coach further explained that T20 cricket, withไ its fast-paced nature, often means that players take risks, and such decisions can lead to sudden dismissals. K⛦otak highlighted that players must strike a balance between playing aggressively and accepting occasional failures
“Because if you want to score 200-225, you cannot play cricket where you are trying to save your wickets. Both things do not go hand in hand. He plays a brand of cricket for the team which is very, very selfless, and that is what he tells the batters as well. There are games he will perform, and there are games where he will not,” Kotak added.
