India all-rounder Shivam Dube on Tuesday came out in strong support of out-of-form T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, backing him to rediscover his best touch when it matters most.

Suryakumar has endured a lean run in recent months, with his last T20I half-century coming in October 2024. With the T20 World Cup less than two months away, questions around his form have intensified. However, Dube insisted the captain’s ability to influence games goes far beyond current numbers.

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“He’s the kind of player who can win you five out of five matches on his own,” Dube said on the eve of the fourth T20I against South Africa. “If he’s not scoring runs right now, it doesn’t mean he’s not a good player. He’s one of the best. No one can do what he can.”

Dube added that Suryakumar’s form is only a matter of time. “Yes, he’s short of runs, but his form will come back at the right moment. He can explode at any time,” he said.

The Mumbai all-rounder also highlighted Suryakumar’s mindset and leadership, calling him a fighter who remains unfazed by fluctuations in form. “Whether he scores or not, he’s always the same. He wants to do something for the team. He’s innovative, dangerous and a complete 360-degree player,” Dube said.

Dube extended similar backing to vice-captain Shubman Gill, who is also navigating a quiet phase in T20Is.

“Even when his form goes up and down, his average and strike rate remain very good,” Dube said. “He has performed for India over many years. Ups and downs are part of the game, but he’s one of the best batters we have.”

Looking ahead to the T20 World Cup at home, Dube believes India are largely settled as a unit. “I think the team is settled. There may not be many changes, but that call lies with the captain, coach and selectors. In my view, this is one of the best teams,” he said.

Dube also spoke about his own preparations, revealing a strong focus on fitness during the off-season. “I worked a lot on my fitness. Being with the Indian team, I’ve had several conversations with Morne Morkel, and that has helped me immensely,” he added.

(By PTI Inputs)