Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer believes T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav is becoming too predictable in his stroke selection, allowing the bowlers to get past him. Jaffer, an icon of domestic cricket, feels that Surya’s lack of a backup plan against opposition teams that field against his strengths has cost him wickets.
This was after Surya failed to help his Indian Premier League, Mumbai Indians, chasing a mammoth target set by the arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday 23rd April. He scored 36 off 30 balls after his side were reduced to 11/3 in the first three overs in the 208-run chase. Mumbai lost the game by 103 runs.
He has had a forgettable tournament so far, collecting just 157 runs in seven innings at 142.73, scoring only fifty against Delhi Capitals when he had to captain the side in Hardik Pandya’s absence.
Jaffer believes that Surya’s problems stem from the fact that teams now play tighter lengths and don’t give him enough space to play his signature shots behind the wicket. He believes that Surya should try to play more down the ground, in front of the goal.
“SKY (Surya) gets trapped in a similar way time and time again,” Jaffer said on his X account. “Teams are setting up the field to limit his shots from the leg side and behind the goal. He needs a plan B. Maybe go straighter or hit over the covers. Don’t be predictable. Too good a player to fall into the same trap.” Jaffer on Suryakumar Yadav’s recent matches (Image from X)
The Mumbai batsman was dismissed 14. through Akeal Hosein delivery. The right-hander, while attempting a smash, hit the ball straight to deep backward square leg where Sarfaraz Khan took a simple catch.
Surya tried to resurrect MI’s innings alongside Tilak Varma after the team suffered an early collapse, with the duo combining for 73 runs. Despite this effort, CSK outplayed Mumbai in their own backyard, to secure a comfortable victory.
Mumbai Indians now have a seven-day break before their next match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, April 29.
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Published on:
24 Apr 2026 14:35 IST
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