Suryakumar Yadav and the search for runs in the middle

Suryakumar Yadav has deposited many a six with a pick-up shot to a ball attacking his legs. On Sunday, he picked another ball off his legs, but his bat went slightly more vertical than he would've liked, and the ball dropped to Ottniel Baartman, who took a fine, tumbling catch at fine leg. He has been dismissed in that fashion a few times now.

In the context of the game, with India needing nine runs in 33 balls, maybe he didn't have to challenge the fielder at the boundary. But he was just about finding his groove. After being surprised by an Anrich Nortje delivery that shot up from the deck, Suryakumar cut loose in the next over off Lungi Ngidi. He went aerial over mid off to a length delivery and then pulled a short-pitched gift for another boundary. The cautious start had made way for the kind of form his T20 batting has needed. He had found rhythm, but spending more time in the middle would have served him and the team better.

It's not that his batting has lacked fluency, but his inability to play substantial innings for a lengthy period has become a critical problem for India ahead of the World Cup. Coming into the match, he averaged less than 15 at a strike rate of 126.41 in T20Is this year.

The platform was set again to shake off that concern—if not with a big score, then with time in the middle, similar to what the other out-of-form batter, Shubman Gill, utilized in a 28-ball stay. But Suryakumar delayed his arrival to the crease, promoting the in-form Tilak Varma to No. 3. By the time the skipper arrived, India needed only 26 runs.

The contest was effectively shut down in the powerplay of the first innings, when Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana ran through South Africa's top order in swinging conditions. Any recovery attempt by the middle order was kept in check by Varun Chakaravarthy and the bowling group, skittling the visitors for 117. Aiden Markram waged a lone battle with a fighting 61.

Abhishek Sharma's early assault ensured Markram's effort was in vain, with India comfortably overhauling the target. Yet, the opportunity to use the low-pressure chase as an ideal laboratory for rediscovering form was wasted.

Suryakumar isn't showing concern. Following India's win, he stated he is "out of runs, not out of form."

"I've been batting beautifully in the nets. I'm trying everything in my control. When the runs have to come, they'll come. But yes, I'm looking for runs, not out of form, but definitely out of runs," he said.

A 2-1 series lead, emphatic victories, and backup resources performing well should bode well for India. But three games in, their biggest concern remains unchecked: impactful knocks from Gill and Suryakumar are still due. Gill took slight advantage in a low chase, but it's far from the "high expectations" assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate mentioned.

Suryakumar had addressed the need for him and his deputy to step up and ease the load on the in-form Abhishek Sharma. With the series ending and the World Cup looming, the window to turn intent into impact is narrowing rapidly.