It won’t be a secret to anyone that Suryakumar Yadav is one of the finest T20 hitters in the world. But like all great talents, everyone has some weaknesses. For Suryakumar, it has always been his weakness against bowlers who can turn the ball away from him, in particular, left-arm orthodox and legbreak spinners.
Over several seasons of the IPL, his strike rate against such bowlers declined, sending an occasional rare crack through an otherwise unyielding T20 technique.
Overcoming Spin: The Sweep Revolution of 2025
Cut to IPL 2025, and Suryakumar Yadav has rewritten that narrative. He’s used the sweep shot, both traditional and slog versions, with incredible effectiveness, playing angles of the crease to play around fields and intimidate bowlers. Since IPL 2018, he’s achieved a strike rate of 140+ against left-arm orthodox and leg spinners only two times in 2023 and now again in 2025.
Spinners Who Gave Him Trouble Earlier
Yuzvendra Chahal: 52 balls, 64 runs, 3 dismissals
Ravi Bishnoi: 32 balls, 39 runs, 3 dismissals
Ravindra Jadeja: 37 balls, 34 runs, 2 dismissals
Mitchell Santner: 6 balls, 5 runs, 2 dismissals
IPL 2025 Stats: Suryakumar vs Left-Arm Orthodox & Legbreak
| Season | Runs | Balls | Dis | Ave | SR | Bnd% | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 92 | 72 | 3 | 30.66 | 127.77 | 15.27 | 3 |
| 2019 | 118 | 107 | 4 | 29.50 | 110.28 | 10.28 | 2 |
| 2020 | 134 | 101 | 3 | 44.66 | 132.67 | 15.84 | 2 |
| 2021 | 78 | 67 | 5 | 15.60 | 116.41 | 14.92 | 1 |
| 2022 | 87 | 74 | 3 | 29.00 | 117.56 | 13.51 | 3 |
| 2023 | 183 | 115 | 2 | 91.50 | 159.13 | 22.60 | 4 |
| 2024 | 48 | 40 | 1 | 48.00 | 120.00 | 12.50 | 1 |
| 2025 | 210 | 126 | 1 | 210.00 | 166.66 | 24.60 | 9 |
Improvement Against Spin with a sweep
In a game to remember against Ravindra Jadeja, Suryakumar Yadav played out his new dominance:
24 runs in 11 deliveries
2 sixes, 2 fours
Artful angle manipulation to nullify Jadeja’s wider line
Dealing with Noor Ahmad
Swept him along a wide arc from behind the wicket to mid-on
Hit 5 boundaries in an outing
Read More
Breaking down Ravi Bishnoi
2 innings
21 balls, 47 runs, 6 fours, 2 sixes
Widen adjusted by playing grounded sweeps
Ravi Shastri on Suryakumar Yadav’s Sweep Technique
Ex-India coach Ravi Shastri pointed to Suryakumar’s anticipation and placement. “When he wants to go fine, he positions his front leg outside the off-stump. To go square, he places his foot on the middle of and leg to play it in front of the square.”
Strategic Flexibility: Delhi Capitals Game
Against wrist spinners Vipraj Nigam and Kuldeep Yadav on a slow turner, Suryakumar Yadav played with restraint:
No sweeping
Played with the run-a-ball mindset
Attacked pacers instead, scoring 59 off 29 balls
This strategic adjustment reaffirmed his maturity and adaptability.
Most Runs Off Sweep Shots in an IPL Season
| Player | Season | Runs | Balls | Dis | SR | Bnd% | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA Yadav | 2025 | 149 | 56 | 0 | 266.07 | 50.00 | 8 |
| S Dhawan | 2020 | 116 | 45 | 5 | 257.77 | 40.00 | 10 |
| GJ Maxwell | 2024 | 95 | 32 | 1 | 296.87 | 56.25 | 8 |
| AB de Villiers | 2016 | 86 | 27 | 0 | 318.51 | 51.85 | 10 |
| SA Yadav | 2023 | 75 | 35 | 1 | 214.28 | 37.14 | 3 |
Looking Ahead: Clash Against Chahal & Brar
As Mumbai Indians prepare for a make-or-break encounter with Punjab Kings on May 26, Suryakumar Yadav will have to battle stiff resistance from Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar, who both have a record of keeping him in check. With a Qualifier 1 spot hanging in the balance, Suryakumar’s recent form and his duel with spin could decide the game
A Season of Evolution for Suryakumar Yadav
In IPL 2025, Suryakumar Yadav has not only scored runs but also developed as a batsman, overcoming past vulnerabilities through technique, timing, and tactical changes. From playing powerful sweep shots to being conservative when necessary, he’s proven that even the best players can renew themselves and remain ahead of the curve.
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