IND vs NZ 2026: Ravichandran Ashwin opens up on Suryakumar Yadav's current form
Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed confidence that Suryakumar Yadav’s knock of 32 runs in the opening T20 International against New Zealand will serve as a significant morale booster for the Indian captain. The innings came at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Wednesday, January 21, and, while not a big score on paper, Ashwin believes it could play a crucial role in restoring Suryakumar’s confidence as he moves forward in the format. According to Ashwin, sometimes a steady contribution under pressure can be more valuable than a flashy innings, especially for a player trying to regain rhythm.
IND vs NZ 2026: Ravi Ashwin comes up with a huge remark on Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar has endured a prolonged slump in T20I cricket, with his form becoming a growing concern for the team management. Throughout 2025, he managed an average of just 13.62 across 21 matches, a sharp decline for a batter once considered among the most destructive in the format. As a result, his place in the playing XI had begun to attract scrutiny, with questions raised about whether he could rediscover his best touch. However, his composed 32 off 22 deliveries against New Zealand offered signs of a turnaround. Ashwin feels that this innings, played with control and intent, could help Suryakumar regain belief, reduce pressure, and set the tone for improved performances in the remainder of the series and beyond.
Ravichandran Ashwin also shared his view that consistency, in the traditional sense, is not always a primary objective for batters in T20 cricket. He explained that the format demands impact rather than accumulation, and players are often required to take risks for the benefit of the team. The 2011 ODI World Cup winner praised Suryakumar Yadav for embracing India’s philosophy of prioritising the collective cause over individual achievements, even during a phase when personal form has been under scrutiny.
Ashwin pointed out that when a batter is chasing runs to regain confidence, the natural tendency is to aim for a half-century or spend more time at the crease to build numbers. However, Suryakumar resisted that temptation and stayed true to his attacking role. Instead of worrying about milestones, he continued to play his natural game and look for big shots whenever the opportunity presented itself. According to Ashwin, this selfless approach not only benefited the team but also reflected Suryakumar’s commitment to India’s template, which values intent, fearlessness, and match impact over personal statistics.
"It is a monkey off the back. A lot of people were talking about Suryakumar's batting and his form and all of that. In all honesty, in T20 cricket, you don't have to aim for consistency. What I liked was that he got those runs; he looked in good touch today. If a batter wants to look to get runs, they would have looked to get a fifty. But Surya did not do that. This team has a theme, they will look to keep scoring and hitting. He looked in his element. He looked good and this is a big positive for him," stated former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin.
Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the Indian team management is showing growing confidence in Shivam Dube’s bowling abilities in T20 cricket. He pointed to Dube being entrusted with three overs in the first T20I as a clear indication of that trust. The Mumbai all-rounder justified the faith placed in him by delivering an effective spell, picking up two important wickets and contributing to India’s control over the middle overs.
The IND vs NZ 1st T20I match itself turned into a one-sided contest after India produced a dominant batting performance. Asked to bat first, the hosts piled up a massive 238 for 7 in their 20 overs, putting New Zealand under immediate pressure. In response, the visitors were unable to match India’s firepower and could only manage 190 for 7, falling well short of the target. The convincing result handed India a 1–0 lead in the five-match T20I series.
"Maybe there will surely be a conversation to bring in a bowler, seeing how (Shivam) Dube's bowling goes. But he got three overs today. So they are backing his bowling, and I think there are conversations around him bowling. This is probably the combination," Ashwin added.
