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Suryakumar Yadav At Number 3 Or 4; Where Should India Captain Bat In Asia Cup 2025?

Aashay Chopade

Suryakumar Yadav for India in T20Is (Source: AFP)Suryakumar Yadav for India in T20Is (Source: AFP)

India are all set to start their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a clash against the hosts, the United Arab Emirates, on September 10. The Men in Blue have a few selection headaches with plenty of quality cricketers in their arsenal, and one of them is where their captain, Suryakumar Yadav, will bat.

The right-handed batter has scored runs for India at both number 3 and number 4 and since the time he made his T20I debut, he has been one of the top batters in the world.

He batted at number 4 mostly till the 2024 T20 World Cup, and then, when he took over the leadership, he decided to take the number 3 position. He did decently, but then opened up the position for Tilak Varma in the South Africa series, and the left-hander grabbed it with two consecutive centuries.

However, in the series against England, Suryakumar Yadav did bat at number 3 in two of the five matches over Tilak Varma. Thus, there is a bit of doubt about the position where the Indian captain will bat in the all-important Asia Cup. Let's dive deeper into it.

Comparison Of Suryakumar Yadav's Batting Stats: No. 3 vs No. 4

Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is

Criterion
At No. 3
At No. 4
Innings2346
Runs7141609
Average3442.34
Strike-Rate165.66168.65
100s/50s
1/63/13

Looking at the table, it is clear that Suryakumar Yadav has better numbers at 4 compared to 3. He has also played more matches for India at four in T20Is and has three hundreds at that position, which is quite remarkable for a batter in the middle order in the shortest format.

Suryakumar Yadav in IPL

Criterion
At No. 3
At No. 4
Innings60
43
Runs18391465
Average35.37
40.69
Strike-Rate148.79
155.52
100s/50s
1/141/10

However, his record at number 3 is not bad either. The average and strike-rate, though lesser than his own numbers at four, it is better than most of the players in the world who play at number 3. In IPL too, Suryakumar Yadav has done well at both the positions, but his stats in the league are also better at number 4 than at number 3.

Suryakumar Yadav's Adaptability And Tilak Varma Factor

The great thing about Suryakumar Yadav is that his strike-rate does not go down at either of the positions. However, in the upcoming Asia Cup, it is all about utilising all the players to the best of their abilities. So, if we look at the options, Tilak Varma is best suited to play at 3. The cricketer has a brilliant average and strike-rate of close to 170 at that position in T20Is, while it goes drastically down to under 140 when he bats at four.

Criterion
At No. 3
At No. 4
Innings13
8
Runs443256
Average55.37
42.66
Strike-Rate169.73
137.63
100s/50s
2/20/1

Conclusion:

Thus, if India are planning to use Tilak Varma, he should bat at three, and it will help India optimise his talent. As far as Suryakumar Yadav is concerned, he can bat anywhere, but to adjust Tilak Varma, he should play at four and continue the good work he has done so far in his career. Also, if India decide to go with Sanju Samson in place of Tilak Varma, he too is more experienced and comfortable at 3 than number 4. Thus, it makes sense for Suryakumar Yadav to keep himself at four.

The Indian captain, though, can bat at 3 if India get off to a good start to keep the momentum going. However, on the most occasions, Suryakumar Yadav should bat at four as he can also use his experience better in tricky run-chases and finish matches for India if needed.