Suryakumar Yadav’s spin struggles or just a bad patch? Tilak Varma debate heats up ahead of Asia Cup 2025 Final News24 –

Asia Cup 2025 final: The Men in Blue are on a dream run in the Asia Cup 2025. Five games, five wins. Dominant with the bat, ruthless with the ball, and electric on the field, it’s been a near-perfect campaign so far for Suryakumar Yadav’s team. But as India gears up for the blockbuster final against arch-rivals Pakistan, one nagging question looms large: What’s going on with Suryakumar Yadav, the batter?

While the team has looked rock-solid, their skipper has looked anything but. With just 71 runs in five innings at an average of 23.67, SKY’s form is now officially a concern. Take out his composed 47 against Pakistan* in the group stage, and the numbers get even grimmer, just 24 runs in four games. For a batter of his calibre, this slump is raising more than just eyebrows.

Is Spin Really Suryakumar’s Kryptonite?

After SKY’s soft dismissal against Sri Lanka, where he struggled to pick Wanindu Hasaranga’s variation and fell LBW trying to sweep a full delivery – a familiar narrative resurfaced: “SKY struggles against spin.” It wasn’t long before fans and former players started floating an alternative – promote Tilak Varma up the order and let SKY bat down, away from the early spin threat.

But here’s where the debate gets interesting. If we go purely by the Asia Cup 2025 numbers, the narrative doesn’t entirely hold. Of Suryakumar’s three dismissals, two came against pace and only one against spin. So while the eye test might say he’s tentative against slower bowlers, the numbers paint a slightly different picture.

Tilak vs SKY: A Statistical Showdown

So, should Tilak bat ahead of SKY?

On form, there’s a strong case. Tilak Varma has been one of the most elegant stroke-makers in this tournament. His recent 49-run knock against Sri Lanka, where he toyed with the field placements and dominated spin, only strengthened his case. Many believe his left-handed presence disrupts opposition plans, especially during the middle overs dominated by spinners.

But here’s a twist: Tilak’s record against seamers is actually better than against spin. Surprising? Maybe. But it’s true.

Meanwhile, SKY, despite his lean run, has historically been a very strong player of spin – sweeping, reverse-sweeping, and even scooping with ridiculous consistency. His recent struggles seem more mental than technical. With the added pressure of captaincy, perhaps SKY just needs one solid innings to silence the noise.

What Should India Do in the Final?

This is where it gets tricky. In a high-stakes final against Pakistan, team management must balance form with experience. Tilak is promising, confident, and timing the ball sweetly. But SKY has the X-factor, the flair, and the history of rising on big days.

Instead of a demotion, perhaps a flexible batting order is the answer. If the spinners are operating early, Tilak walks in. If it’s pace up front, SKY goes in. It’s all about match-ups and India has the luxury to be fluid.