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With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 looming large, India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has chosen a familiar yet significant path to rediscover his lost rhythm. The explosive batter has informed the Mumbai Cricket Association of his availability for two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches in January 2026, a move that underlines urgency rather than routine preparation. Suryakumar is set to feature for Mumbai against Himachal Pradesh on January 6 and Punjab on January 8, fixtures that could quietly shape India’s T20 World Cup narrative.
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This decision is not about workload management. It is about form. For over a year, Suryakumar Yadav has been searching for runs in T20 internationals, averaging just 12.84 with a strike rate of 117.87 across 22 innings, numbers starkly distant from his peak dominance.
India have only five T20Is remaining before their World Cup opener on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium. That makes domestic cricket one of the few remaining platforms for meaningful match practice.
The BCCI’s directive for contracted players to participate in domestic tournaments when available has added structure, but Suryakumar’s choice feels deeply personal and tactical.
Sport From World No.1 to a Testing Phase
Not long ago, Suryakumar was redefining T20 batting. In 2022 alone, he smashed 1,164 T20I runs at an average of 46.56 and a strike rate of 187.43, climbing to the top of the ICC rankings and earning multiple Player of the Series awards.
The decline has been gradual yet visible. Since taking over India’s T20I captaincy after the 2024 World Cup triumph, consistency has eluded him. A brief resurgence in Australia, including three innings above 20 at strike rates exceeding 160, offered hope, but that spark faded again during the home series against South Africa.
Sport Surya’s Own Admission and Mental Reset
For the first time, Suryakumar has openly acknowledged the prolonged slump.
“This patch has stretched a bit too long,” he admitted, adding that he knows exactly where things are going wrong.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy offers something international cricket currently cannot. Time in the middle without the constant noise of selection debates. Fifty-over cricket also allows batters to settle, build innings, and reconnect with shot selection rather than forcing impact every ball.
Sport Selectors Still Back Their Captain
Despite the numbers, the Indian selection committee remains firm in its backing. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar reiterated that Suryakumar’s quality is beyond doubt, calling him a proven match-winner capable of reclaiming his best form when it matters most.
That faith stands in contrast to Shubman Gill’s omission from the World Cup squad, highlighting how Suryakumar’s past impact continues to carry weight.
Sport Mumbai’s Campaign and a Crucial Window
Mumbai’s Vijay Hazare campaign begins in Jaipur, with early games against Sikkim and Uttarakhand. While Suryakumar will join later, his presence immediately elevates expectations for the knockout push.
More importantly, these two matches may serve as a mental reset before India regroups in Nagpur on January 21 for the New Zealand T20I series, the final rehearsal before the World Cup.
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