The Men in Blue are having a great Asia Cup as Team India are yet to be defeated in the tournament. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side have played five games, and all players have contributed to the team's collective success.
Despite a successful campaign, there are a few concerning signs in the batting order, which includes the skipper himself. Suryakumar Yadav is not having an ideal tournament as the right-handed batter has amassed just 71 runs in five innings, averaging just 23.67.
His notable knock came against Pakistan in the group-stage match, where the 35-year-old played an unbeaten 47-run knock. Expect that SKY has really struggled and amassed just 21 runs in four matches.
Spin: Really A Big Area Of Concern For Suryakumar Yadav?
In the game against Sri Lanka, Suryakumar Yadav struggled to pick up spin and it led to a cry that SKY should bat below Tilak as the southpaw played a beautiful 49- run knock. But is SKY really bad against spin? or should he demoted down the order for India?
If we look at the Asia Cup 2025, then out of three dismissals, two have come against seamers and only one against a spinner. Let's look at SKY's run-scoring stats against seamers and spinners in the Asia Cup and similarly for his overall career.
SKY's Stats vs Spin and Pace in Asia Cup 2025
Criteria
Spin
Pace
Balls Faced
50
14
Runs Scored
60
14
Strike-Rate
99.12
120
Looking at SKY's Overall Comparison vs Spin and Pace in His T20I Career
Criteria
Spin
Pace
Innings
64
78
Runs
930
1712
Strike-Rate
146.1
177.4
Average
58.1
31.1
Dot%
27.8
36.2
Key Observation
For Many's surprise, SKY actually boasts great numbers against spin as compared to the seamers.
If we look at his career, then SKY has a better average against the spinners, which speaks about his stability in the middle-order, where he provides a security. However, against the seamers, SKY has a better strike-rate.
Most importantly, SKY rotates the strike against spin, whereas he tends to play more dot balls against the seamers.
If we also look at his Asia Cup 2025 stats, which has not gone in his favour, then SKY has scored 60 off his 71 runs against spinners, which again bust the myth of Indian skipper not being good against spin.
Should India Try With Tilak Varma Ahead of Suryakumar Yadav?
After SKY's another failure with the bat, the internet erupted with a debate that should SKY be batting below Tilak Varma to get rid of the spinners. However, if we look at the stats, then Tilak has a better record with the seamers than spinners, which might be surprising for many. Lets's compare the stats of both India star players.
Comparing SKY's Stats vs Tilak Varma
Criteria
Spin
Pace
Innings
22
28
Runs
326
552
Strike-Rate
140.5
158.6
Average
46.6
55.2
Dot%
29.7
34.2
Key Observation
Tilak Varma has a better going against the seamers, which helps him tackle the seamers during the death as well as the later stage of the middle-overs.
Compared to SKY, then Tilak has a lower average and strike-rate against spinners than the Indian skipper.
Conclusion
It is true that the India captain is having a disastrous tournament, but changing batting position won't solve any purpose as stats conclude that the India skipper has a better average and strike-rate against the spinners.
Although, it feels like it is the confidence or captaincy burden that is holding the right-handed batter to unleash his IPL-like form in international colours and regain his lost mojo.
Suryakumar Yadav vs Tilak Varma - (Source : AFP)
