From the outside, it looks baffling. Two batters struggling for runs, similar numbers, similar questions. Yet one is dropped, the other trusted with the captaincy. For the common cricket fan, the obvious question is simple: if Shubman Gill was expendable, why does Suryakumar Yadav still get a long rope?
The answer lies beyond scorecards. Suryakumar&rsquo;s form slump is undeniable, but so is his imprint on the team. When he gets going, even briefly, he still looks like the batter who once terrified bowlers worldwide. More importantly, under his leadership, India have barely put a foot wrong. Wins have kept coming, series after series, creating an environment where the captain&rsquo;s lack of runs feels like a personal battle rather than a team problem.
Gill, younger and technically sound, hasn&rsquo;t yet carried that same aura in T20s. His starts haven&rsquo;t threatened games, and his presence hasn&rsquo;t tilted matches. Suryakumar, even in failure, still carries the promise of sudden destruction. For selectors and teammates alike, that promise matters, especially when the team keeps winning without panic.
For fans watching from living rooms and local grounds, it&rsquo;s a reminder that cricket isn&rsquo;t just about form; it&rsquo;s about faith, timing and trust. Suryakumar may be hurting inside, but as long as India are conquering opponents, the belief is that one innings could change everything. And in T20 cricket, sometimes that belief is worth more than runs on paper.

Out of runs, not belief: why India backs Suryakumar despite a prolonged lean patch

Why SKY Still Gets Time, Not Gill

Out of runs, not belief: why India backs Suryakumar despite a prolonged lean patch

December 22, 2025 | 17:36 IST