Former Indian cricket captain Kris Srikkanth has ignited a major debate regarding the structure of the national side’s batting lineup, questioning the place of key players Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav in the T20 setup, particularly with the looming T20 World Cup. Despite India’s recent victory in the Asia Cup, Srikkanth expressed “serious concerns” over the fitness of the current squad to face stronger opposition in a global tournament.

Srikkanth’s most pointed critique was directed at the current T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, whose batting form has been consistently poor. In a public statement on his YouTube channel, the 1983 World Cup winner delivered a scathing assessment: “Suryakumar Yadav let me down. His scores are like a pin code these days.”

The numbers back up the former captain’s concern. Despite his status as a premier T20 batter globally, Suryakumar’s performance in the recent Asia Cup was dismal, with scores of 0, 5, 12, and 1 in his last four matches. His struggles extend beyond the tournament; in 2025, he managed only 100 runs in 11 T20I innings as captain, maintaining a worrying average just above nine. His dismissal for a mere single run in the final, while chasing a modest target, underscored the pressure facing him.

Srikkanth’s criticism did not spare vice-captain Shubman Gill. While acknowledging Gill's excellence in Test and ODI cricket, Srikkanth voiced reservations about his effectiveness in the high-octane T20 format. “Shubman Gill doesn't look very deadly in the T20 format,” he stated, further questioning the rationale behind making him the T20 vice-captain ahead of the crucial World Cup. He even admitted that Gill was initially not in his preferred team selection.

The broader implication of Srikkanth’s argument centers on the team’s overall readiness. He believes that while the current squad was "enough for the below average sides in this tournament" (referring to the Asia Cup), it is fundamentally "not the right one for the T20 World Cup." He warned that relying on this lineup against formidable opponents could lead to serious disappointment.

The timely criticism has amplified discussions among selectors and fans about potential structural changes. As India shifts focus toward future international commitments, Srikkanth’s comments serve as a loud, critical assessment, demanding that the management re-evaluate the roles and effectiveness of key middle-order players like Suryakumar Yadav and ensure the selection of players specifically suited to the demands of the T20 World Cup format.