"I will accept Surya is not out of form" - Former all-rounder's huge remark on Indian captain's string of low scores amid AUS vs IND 2025 T20I series

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan recently commented on T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav's struggle for runs. The right-hander got dismissed for yet another low score in the fourth T20I against Australia in Queensland, but Pathan jumped to the batter's defense, saying he wasn't out of form.

Notably, the 35-year-old batter failed to register even one fifty-plus score in Asia Cup 2025. But after failing to score big in the first three T20Is, he shot down questions about his form, claiming that he was out of runs, and not out of form.

During the fourth T20I against Australia, the Mumbai-born cricketer looked in good nick after hitting two sixes. But he holed one out to Tim David in the 16th over of the innings to perish for 20 off 10.

Speaking in the latest video on his YouTube channel, Pathan pointed out how well Suryakumar looked at the crease during the fourth T20I. He reasoned that the lack of runs could be down to him playing as a floater in recent times, elaborating:

"I agree with Suryakumar Yadav’s assessment when he said I am out of runs, not out of form. The way he was batting – hit two sixes. He likes to bat slightly at the top but came in later. The moment he came, he started playing the big shots. He made 20 off 10 balls with a strike rate of almost 200 which means you are comfortable even under pressure. He is not out of form, just out of big runs. We expect Surya to score big runs every time but his batting position is not fixed and team is experimenting with the order before the World Cup. It is understandable. But I accept Surya is not out of form."

The former No. 1-ranked T20I batter last scored a half-century in the format in October 2024. His highest score in Asia Cup 2025 was 47*, and he will be keen to score big runs in the final T20I.

---

"He focused more on his technique" - Irfan Pathan on Indian star

Shubman Gill plays a shot. (Credits: Getty)

With Shubman Gill top-scoring with 46 for India on a tricky surface, Pathan felt the T20I vice-captain concentrated on timing instead of hitting the ball hard. The former seamer also observed that Gill's stay at the crease allowed the other batters to play aggressively, stating:

"I spoke in my previous video about two things. In this match, Shubman Gill didn’t hit the ball too hard and instead concentrated on timing. He wasn’t looking for big hits and searched for fours. His game is all about timing and if he does, he will score runs. There is pressure and it is natural; hence, you have to score runs.

"You have made runs. Although Gill didn’t make a fifty, he ensured the other batter scored quickly and formed the base. When Suryakumar Yadav came out, he kept playing the big shots. Suryakumar hit two big sixes. We got to learn that Gill has a role in this team and he his way of scoring runs. You can change things moving forward but he needs time to settle in the team. He focused more on his technique in this game and made runs."

Chasing a tricky 168, Australia folded for 119 to concede a 2-1 series lead to India. India and Australia will lock horns in the final T20I on Saturday, November 8.