Suryakumar: 'I am not out of form, I am out of runs'

Dubai, 29 September 2025 - In the wake of India’s tense and controversial Asia Cup campaign, captain Suryakumar Yadav didn’t mince words when asked about his own struggles at the bat. Though he managed just 72 runs in seven innings, Surya pushed back against narratives of a waning form.

“I feel I am not out of form, I feel I am out of runs,” he asserted, emphasizing his trust in the process and the net sessions more than every fleeting score in a match.

Form vs. Runs

Surya reminded everyone that cricket is not always kind to the bat:

• He spoke of his preparation, confidence, and mental state, saying when things click in the nets, the match game follows on “autopilot.”
   
• He also highlighted that being low on runs doesn’t necessarily equate to being out of touch; it’s a numbers game, one he believes he can turn.

Trophy Snub: A Statement More Than Protest

India’s Asia Cup win and the controversy surrounding the trophy presentation overshadowed the tournament. The side refused to accept the trophy from ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads PCB and serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, leading to a postponed and ultimately aborted presentation ceremony.

Surya called the move unprecedented:

“I think this is one thing which I’ve never seen … that a champion team is denied a trophy.”
He added that if the formal presentation couldn’t happen, the real trophies were the teammates, staff, and the journey itself.

Responding to Criticism & Media Heat

Across the tournament, Surya faced tough questions from his dismissal in the final to comments that border on politics. In response to a direct jab at him as the captain who “brings politics into cricket,” he replied with measured humor, diffusing tension rather than fueling it.

Critics from Pakistan, including Captain Salman Ali Agha, claimed that Surya had privately shaken hands, accusing India of “disrespecting cricket” publicly while playing nice behind closed doors. Surya, unflustered, stuck to his narrative of consistency and focus.

Looking Ahead: Mission T20 World Cup

Even amid the noise, Surya’s focus remained clear: the bigger prize looms ahead the T20 World Cup.
He told his squad to treat each Super Four game like a knockout match, and that mindset led India to seven straight wins to clinch the title.

He stressed that whether he’s scoring or not, his drive is to lead, keep the team tight, and build toward that ultimate goal.