IND vs SA 2025: ‘Keep the pick-up shot in cold storage’ – Former India captain’s blunt advice to Suryakumar Yadav after dismal Dharamsala outing

Suryakumar Yadav has scored many runs with his trademark pick-up shot over the years. However, the audacious stroke has led to his downfall in recent matches, including the third T20I against South Africa, which was played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday, December 14.

The Men in Blue were chasing a modest 118-run target in the third T20I. After Abhishek Sharma’s breathtaking cameo, the chase became a cakewalk for the Indian batters. Suryakumar, who walked out to bat at No. 4, seemed as if he would take his team to a thumping win. However, with just nine runs left for a victory, Suryakumar holed out Ottneil Baartman towards the fine-leg region off Lungi Ngidi’s bowling.

He tried to play his famous pick-up shot, but only managed to hit the ball with the bottom half of the bat. The Mumbai batter had to take the long walk back to the dugout after scoring 12 runs off 11 deliveries.

Sunil Gavaskar advised Suryakumar to refrain from playing that shot, at least until he gets back among the runs. The latter has not scored a T20I half-century this year. In the first three matches against the Proteas, he has only aggregated 29 runs.

“It has been a very, very productive shot for him. Now, when you are not in form, it’s only gone up in the air instead of going the distance, and well inside the boundary. So maybe, until he starts to get going, he should look to keep that shot in cold storage,” Gavaskar said on commentary.

“Because it’s getting him out and India doesn’t require Suryakumar Yadav scoring only 12 runs,” the former India captain added.

India went on to chase the target in 15.5 overs, with seven wickets in hand. They have taken a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. A win on Wednesday in the fourth T20I in Lucknow will help them take an unassailable lead.