Call him Suryakumar Yadav or India’s Mr 360-degree, the batter once known for redefining T20 batting with shots all around the wicket. But the version of Suryakumar Yadav that dominated world cricket until 2023 seems distant now. As India gear up for the five-match T20 series against New Zealand, Surya finds himself in an unusual battle — not against bowlers, but against his own form.

A Crucial Series Before the T20 World Cup

The upcoming T20 series against New Zealand national cricket team is India’s final major assignment before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. For Team India, it is a chance to fine-tune combinations. For captain Suryakumar Yadav, however, the stakes are even higher — this series could define his future in the format he once ruled.

22 Innings Without a Fifty: A Stark Reality

Suryakumar Yadav has not scored a half-century in his last 22 T20I innings. His last fifty-plus score came against Bangladesh in Hyderabad on October 12, 2024. Since then:

• He has failed to reach double figures in 12 out of 22 innings

• He has been dismissed for zero three times

Such numbers are a far cry from the consistency he displayed before 2024.

Before and After: The Numbers Tell the Story

The contrast in Surya’s performance before and after 2023 is striking.

Till 2023

• Runs vs pace: 1,385

• Runs vs spin: 756

• Strike rate vs pace: 187+

• Strike rate vs spin: around 148

• Dismissals: 45 (32 vs pace, 13 vs spin)

From 2024 onwards

• Runs vs pace: 416

• Runs vs spin: 231

• Strike rate vs pace: below 140

• Strike rate vs spin: below 143

• Dismissals: 29 (mostly against pace)

The decline is visible not just in totals, but in intent and impact.

Trouble in the First 10 Balls

Suryakumar’s struggles are especially evident at the start of his innings:

• Till 2023:

  • 434 runs vs pace

  • 286 runs vs spin (first 10 balls)

• From 2024 onwards:

  • 235 runs vs pace

  • 120 runs vs spin

The explosiveness that once defined his game early in the innings has clearly dipped.

A New Year, A Fresh Start?

The New Zealand series will mark India’s first T20 assignment of 2026 — and Suryakumar Yadav’s first T20 innings of the new year. For Surya, this series offers a mental reset: a chance to forget the past 15 months and rediscover the fearless batter who once intimidated bowlers across formats.

If he finds his rhythm again, it could transform India’s T20 setup ahead of the World Cup. If not, the questions around his form and leadership will only grow louder.

The Bottom Line

The New Zealand T20 series is more than just another bilateral contest. For Suryakumar Yadav, it is a personal crossroads. A return to form could re-establish him as the heartbeat of India’s T20 batting. Failure, however, may force Team India to rethink plans ahead of the biggest tournament on the horizon.