Suryakumar Yadav, the India T20 captain, is going through a difficult phase with the bat in the IPL 2026 season, and his dip in form has mirrored Mumbai Indians’ poor run. The right-handed batter had a key opportunity to pull his team out of trouble against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, but once again failed to deliver, scoring 36 runs off 30 balls, which included five boundaries.
Former India batter and Mumbai cricket great Wasim Jaffer on Friday said that Suryakumar is repeatedly falling into the same trap, and needs to return to the drawing board to develop a “Plan B” in his batting approach.
Jaffer pointed out that opposition teams are now bowling tighter lines to restrict Suryakumar’s signature behind-the-wicket strokes. He suggested that the India captain should adapt by playing more straight or targeting the covers instead of being predictable.
“SKY is getting trapped in a similar fashion again and again. Teams set the field to restrict his leg-side and behind-the-wicket shots. He needs Plan B. Maybe go straighter or hit over covers. Don’t be predictable. Too good a player to get caught in the same trap,” Jaffer wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Surya’s barren run
The 35-year-old has scored just 157 runs in seven matches in IPL 2026 at an average of 22.43 and a strike rate of 142.72. He has managed only one half-century so far — 51 runs against Delhi Capitals. In the season, he has hit just four sixes and 17 boundaries.
Suryakumar also led Mumbai Indians in that match against Delhi when Hardik Pandya was unavailable due to illness. His form had also dipped during the T20 World Cup 2026, where he managed only one significant knock against the USA in the group stage.
On Thursday, Mumbai Indians suffered a heavy 103-run defeat against CSK, slipping further in the points table to eighth place, while CSK moved up to fifth.
Mumbai Indians now have a seven-day break before their next fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, April 29. (Agency)
