Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 20 : The cricketer-turned-commentator Irfan Pathan feels that India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav will have strong performances during the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, starting on January 21.
Speaking on 'Follow The Blues', JioStar expert Irfan Pathan highlighted India captain Suryakumar Yadav's form as crucial for his side as the defending champion prepare of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, starting next month.
"This series is important for India with key preparation factors, especially Suryakumar Yadav's form. He's an amazing player who hasn't found runs or rhythm recently--that's a fact. But you'd still bet on him; he has that calibre. I expect strong performances from him across these five matches," Pathan said.
Ahead of the first T20I against New Zealand, India's T20I captain Suryakumar remained optimistic about his poor form in the shortest format.
The right-handed batter had a forgetful run with the bat in T20I cricket in 2025. Suryakumar failed to register a single fifty in 21 matches and 19 innings. SKY scored 218 runs at a below average of 13.62 and a highest score of unbeaten 47.
During the pre-match press conference, Suryakumar said he has been batting really well in the nets and doesn't want to change his identity, which has brought him success over the last three to four years. The India T20I captain added that he would love to bat the same way, and if everything doesn't go well, he will go back to the drawing board and come back stronger.
"Every game we play in a series is crucial. We try to get something out of it. I have been batting really well at the nets and also talking about the runs; it will definitely come, but at the same time, I can't do things differently. I don't want to change my identity. What has given me success in the past 3-4 years, I would like to bat the same way. And then if performance comes, I will take it. If it doesn't come, then I will go back to the drawing board, practice again, work hard and come back stronger," Suryakumar said.
The first T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on Wednesday.
India squad for T20I series against New Zealand:
Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shreyas Iyer (first three T20Is), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravi Bishnoi.