Suryakumar Yadav has managed only 71 runs in the Asia Cup so far, averaging 23.66 with a strike rate just above 100 and a top score of 47.*
Gavaskar Advises Suryakumar Yadav on Regaining Form Ahead of Asia Cup Final
Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has offered advice to Suryakumar Yadav as he looks to regain form ahead of India’s crucial Asia Cup final against Pakistan on Sunday in Dubai. While India has enjoyed a dominant run under Suryakumar Yadav captaincy, his personal form has been a concern. The skipper has scored just 71 runs in the tournament at an average of 23.66, with a strike rate slightly above 100 and a top score of 47*.
After a stellar 2024—where he scored 420 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 155 with four fifties—Suryakumar’s form has dipped sharply in 2025. Across 10 innings, he has managed only 99 runs off 90 balls at a strike rate of 110, partially affected by frequent changes in his batting position.
Gavaskar praised Suryakumar Yadav class and suggested he take a few deliveries in the middle to read the pitch before playing freely. “He’s undoubtedly a class player. All I would suggest is that he give himself three or four deliveries in the middle to assess the conditions—check for pace, bounce, or turn. Watching from the dugout and stepping onto the field can feel very different,” Gavaskar told Sports Today. “Sometimes, if a batter is ahead, it might seem like there’s nothing in the pitch, but it’s always better to take a few balls to gauge the conditions before playing your natural game,” he added.
“It was a hard day at the office”: Gavaskar on IND vs SL clash
Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar reflected on India’s nervy Super Over win against Sri Lanka—a dead rubber that nonetheless exposed some weaknesses in their bowling. The 76-year-old suggested that facing such a challenging scenario could prove beneficial for India’s preparations ahead of the Asia Cup final.
He also offered constructive criticism of Harshit Rana’s final over against Sri Lanka, noting that nerves got the better of him as the match went into a Super Over. “The final over could have been slightly better if Harshit had bowled more slower deliveries instead of the pacey ones. Nonetheless, the way the team bounced back, despite the strong performances from Kusal Perera and Nissanka, speaks volumes about their resilience and temperament,” Gavaskar added.
