India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav once again addressed his prolonged dip in form, this time during an interaction with students at GLS University, where his candid remarks quickly drew attention. Speaking about the ebb and flow of a sportsperson’s career, Suryakumar struck a reflective tone. “A sportsman doesn't always enjoy a good time. I am not saying we endure bad times. It's a learning process. There's always a phase where you feel it's a learning stage. For me, it's that learning curve. It's been a bit up and down,” he said during the speech in Ahmedabad.

The 35-year-old, however, followed it up with a line that stood out for its bravado — a remark that some felt bordered on being over the top.

“But, for me, my soldiers, 14 of them, are covering for me, for now. They know what will happen the day I blast. I am sure you all also know about it,” Suryakumar added, suggesting confidence in both his teammates and an eventual return to form.

Despite the chatter around his performances, the Indian skipper maintained that his mindset remains positive.

“I am very positive. I am working really hard,” he said, before drawing a parallel with student life. “Imagine, if you get low grades in your exams, do you quit your school? You work hard again and get good marks again. I am also trying to do that. I am trying to come back with better performances.”

Suryakumar’s comments come at a time when his struggles in T20 internationals have been hard to ignore. The right-hander endured a lean 2025, managing just 218 runs from 19 innings at an average of 13.62 and a strike rate of 123.16, with a top score of 47 in the Asia Cup. He also found the going tough against South Africa, scoring only 34 runs in four innings during a home series that India still won 3-1.

A day before the Ahmedabad speech, Suryakumar had openly acknowledged the length of his rough patch. “Ye waala patch thoda lamba ho gaya (this patch has stretched a bit too long),” he said at a press conference following the T20 World Cup squad announcement at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. He was present alongside BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.

While Suryakumar retained his place in the squad, vice-captain Shubman Gill was left out, prompting questions over the team management’s continued backing of the skipper despite his form. The selectors, however, appear to be banking on his proven pedigree as one of India’s most destructive T20 batters.

Support has also come from within the camp. Tilak Varma recently said that Suryakumar is just one good innings away from rediscovering his best, stressing that patience and composure, rather than drastic technical changes, are key.

With a five-match T20I series against New Zealand coming up next month, Suryakumar will have another opportunity to turn words into runs and justify the faith placed in him.

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