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"Suryakumar is following Rohit Sharma": Ashwin backs India skipper before Asia Cup final

Aakash Saini

Suryakumar Yadav with Rohit, R Ashwin [Source: @ImHydro45/x, Ash ki Baat/YouTube]Suryakumar Yadav with Rohit, R Ashwin [Source: @ImHydro45/x, Ash ki Baat/YouTube]

Former all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has backed struggling India skipper Suryakumar Yadav ahead of the upcoming blockbuster Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan in Dubai. Suryakumar, who holds an average of nearly 38 in T20Is, has been struggling to score runs of late for the ‘Men in Blue’.

Amid all his form struggles and criticisms, Suryakumar Yadav has received some vocal support from Ashwin, who believes the attacking Indian batter has merely adopted an aggressive brand of cricket.

Ravi Ashwin backs out-of-form Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav has accrued just 71 runs from five innings this 2025 Asia Cup in the UAE, which included 47* in a single game against Pakistan during the Group Stage of the tournament. Despite maintaining a meagre average of 23.66 in this continental event, and yet to put up a single notable knock ever since taking up Team India captaincy in T20Is last year, the seasoned campaigner has been backed by legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

Ashwin believes that Suryakumar Yadav has been playing a “high-risk game” since becoming the Indian captain, and emphasised the importance of strike-rates in the format over averages. The former all-rounder also claimed that the current Indian T20I skipper is following Rohit Sharma’s mantra of batting, considering the legendary opener also used to commit himself to aggression while batting.

Taking to his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin said:

“Regarding Suryakumar, people say his average dropped after captaincy. But with that, a new brand of cricket started. I don't want him to be averaging 40. Always in T20 cricket we sink thinking about this average. Surya as a captain is playing a high-risk game which is extremely amazing. Rohit showed this, putting no price on his wicket, always committing to aggression. Surya's following this, coming in at different slots, not always at three.”

“If Surya averages 25 but strikes at 170, I'm much happier with that than him doing 40 at a lower strike rate. Don't get after him for this, don't put pressure. T20 cricket needs impact, not average.”

Batting struggles aside, Suryakumar Yadav has led Team India to six successive wins to qualify for the 2025 Asia Cup as the only unbeaten side of the tournament. The ‘Men in Blue’ will now face arch-rivals Pakistan in the final at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on Sunday, September 28.