Suryakumar Yadav’s Captaincy Under Threat By Shubman Gill? ‘Not Been Up To The…’ | Cricket News

Last Updated:September 08, 2025, 15:19 IST

Wasim Jaffer says Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I form is a concern despite IPL improvement, but Shubman Gill’s arrival does not threaten his captaincy.

Suryakumar Yadav is leading India in the Asia Cup (Picture credit: PTI)

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has allayed fears that Suryakumar Yadav is under any ‘threat’ by the newly appointed vice-captain Shubman Gill, but feels that the Mumbaikar’s batting form is a ‘concern’. Jaffer observed that before the 2025 Asia Cup, Suryakumar had not made the most of his opportunities in T20 internationals and attributed it to his restricted batted range, though it improved during IPL 2025.

Since being appointed the T20I captain, Suryakumar has managed only 558 runs in 22 matches. Although some of it can be attributed to his constantly changing positions in the middle-order to accommodate the likes of Tilak Varma, his performance in India’s last T20I series against England was uncharacteristic: 28 runs at an average of 5.60 with a strike rate of 116.67, with two ducks.

“His numbers dropping (while leading India) is a worry,” Jaffer said, as quoted by The Times of India. “His not getting the runs is a concern. In the last few internationals he played, he was looking to score mostly behind square on the leg side. His shot selection was not up to the mark. But he has since worked on his game, and as we saw, he was a completely different player in the IPL. He started scoring on the offside as well. When Surya plays shots all around the wicket, there’s not much the bowlers can do. He is very dangerous. Then there isn’t margin for the bowlers. He has done well in the IPL; hopefully, that should continue.”

26-year-old Gill’s appointment, instead of players closer to Suryakumar in age like Jasprit Bumrah or KL Rahul, is being seen as a message on the board that the young batter from Punjab is breathing down the captain’s neck.

“Every tour, every series, you have a vice-captain. It doesn’t mean the captain is under threat,” Jaffer said. “Selectors have made it clear — Bumrah can’t play every series, so he’s out. Hardik? They’re not looking at him for now. That leaves Shubman and maybe Shreyas (Iyer) when he’s back,” he added.

Read More