India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav has received strong backing from former cricketer Harbhajan Singh. This support comes despite Yadav's noticeable dip in form during 2025.
Struggling for Runs
Suryakumar Yadav has found runs hard to come by this year. In 19 T20 International innings, he has managed only 218 runs. His average sits at a modest 13.62, with a strike rate of 123.16. His last half-century in the format dates back to October 2024, when he scored 75 runs against Bangladesh in Hyderabad.
Unwavering Faith from a Legend
Harbhajan Singh, a veteran of 103 Tests with 417 wickets, remains a firm believer in Yadav's talent. Speaking at an event in Mumbai announcing a partnership between Mumbai Indians and Malaysia Airlines, Harbhajan offered his full support.
"Maybe, he is saving it for the World Cup," Harbhajan suggested. "Surya is a class player. There is no doubt about it. I still believe that he is probably the No.1 player in this format."
He drew a comparison to the legendary AB de Villiers, stating India has its own match-winner. "People often talk about how great AB de Villiers is, but we have our own guy who does the same job. And I do back him to come good for India in this World Cup. Not just as a captain, but as a batter. I am hoping for some big runs from him," Harbhajan added.
Confidence in India's World Cup Defense
Harbhajan, a member of India's 2007 and 2011 World Cup-winning squads, expressed optimism about the team's chances. The T20 World Cup begins next month, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
He addressed the potential pressure of playing at home. "Playing international cricket itself is a pressure. It doesn't matter where you play," Harbhajan said. "It's kind of a blessing to play in front of your home crowd, in your backyard. You know your condition better than the others, and the support you get is unbelievable."
He praised the current squad's composition. "I think this team has got everything... They are match-winners. We hope that this trophy will stay in India. If it happens, it will be the first time that the Indian team would win the trophy twice in a row. It will be fun," he stated, referring to potential victories in 2024 and 2026.
On Virat Kohli and Format Criticism
The conversation also touched upon recent comments about Virat Kohli. Harbhajan disagreed with analyst Sanjay Manjrekar's remark that Kohli had chosen "the easiest format to play."
"If it was so easy to score runs in any format, then everyone would have made it," Harbhajan countered. "Let's just enjoy what people are doing. They are playing well, winning games, scoring runs, and taking wickets. That's all that matters."
He emphasized Kohli's value regardless of format. "Virat, whether he plays in one format or all formats, has been a fantastic player and a big time match winner for India," Harbhajan affirmed.
A Concern for Indian Cricket
Harbhajan concluded by highlighting a specific area of worry. He lamented the current shortage of quality off-spinners in the country.
He described the art as somewhat "old-fashioned" and stressed the urgent need for new specialists to emerge from the domestic cricket circuit. This call to action underscores a broader concern for nurturing specific bowling talents within India's cricketing ecosystem.
