2026

Salman Agha Vs Suryakumar Yadav: Who Leads Better?

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Pakistan will take on India in their third group-stage game of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Both the sides have won their first two matches in the marquee event, with the Men in Blue leading Group A on a higher run rate than Pakistan.

Fans around the world, particularly in India and Pakistan, are discussing key performers, possible outcomes, weather conditions, and the historic rivalry between the two cricketing nations.

A major discussion revolves around the two captains, leading their sides on the World Cup stage for the first time, with debates on who is the better leader: Salman Ali or Suryakumar Yadav.

Salman Ali Agha was appointed T20I captain in March 2025, while India named Suryakumar Yadav in June 2024, following World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma’s retirement.

This article dives deep to examine what both captains have achieved so far, both as leaders and in their personal performances in the shortest format.

Captaincy Comparison

Salman Ali Agha has led the Green Shirts in 45 T20 International matches across bilateral series and the Asia Cup 2025, winning 29 matches and losing 16, with a 64.44 percent winning ratio.

The right-handed batter is the second most successful Pakistani captain in terms of winning percentage, after Sarfaraz Ahmed, who won 30 out of 38 matches with a 78.94 percent winning ratio.

Suryakumar Yadav has represented India in 45 T20I matches as captain, winning 34, losing seven, and drawing two matches, with a winning ratio of 75.55 percent.

The hard-hitting batter is the second most successful Indian captain in terms of winning percentage, after Rohit Sharma, who won 49 out of 62 matches with a 79.03 percent winning ratio.

Player	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	Draw	NR	%W	%L
Salman Agha (PAK)	45	29	16	0	0	0	64.44	35.55
Suryakumar Yadav	45	34	7	2	0	2	75.55	15.55

Individual Performance while Leading

The Pakistani captain has scored 865 runs in 42 T20 International innings at an average of 25.44 and a strike rate of 122.52, including six half-centuries, with a highest score of 76.

The Indian skipper, on the other hand, has scored 1,086 runs in 42 innings at an average of 30.16 and a strike rate of 159.70, including eight fifties and one century, with a highest score of 100.

Captain	Innings	Runs	Average	Highest	Strike Rate	50s	100s
Salman Agha	42	865	25.44	76	122.52	6	0
Suryakumar Yadav	42	1086	30.16	100	159.70	8	1

T20I Career Record

Salman Ali Agha has represented the national team in 47 matches, scoring 869 runs at an average of 24.13 and a strike rate of 122.56, including six half-centuries.

Suryakumar Yadav has played 106 T20Is for India, scoring 3,126 runs at an average of 37.66 and a strike rate of 165.13, including four centuries and 25 fifties, with a highest score of 117.

Player	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate	Highest	50s	100s
Salman Agha	47	869	24.13	122.56	76	6	0
Suryakumar Yadav	106	3126	37.66	165.13	117	25	4

Pakistan vs India Performance

Salman Agha has played three matches against the arch-rivals in the shortest format during the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai, scoring 28 runs at an average of 14.00 and a strike rate of 87.50.

The Indian captain, on the other hand, has played eight matches against Pakistan, scoring 112 runs at an average of 16.00 and a strike rate of 113.13, with his highest score of 47 not out.

Player	Opposition	Match	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
Salman Agha	India	3	28	14	87.50
Suryakumar Yadav	Pakistan	8	112	16	113.13

T20 World Cup 2026 Form

Salman Ali Agha has not shown his class in the first two games of the 2026 World Cup against the Netherlands and the United States of America (USA), scoring just 13 runs.

The Indian skipper, on the other hand, has scored 96 runs in the first two games, including 84 not out against the USA, where he single-handedly saved his team from a major upset.

Captaincy Style

Salman Agha leads Pakistan during a transitional phase, focusing on stability and backing experienced players while the team seeks consistency and a settled combination in major tournaments.

His leadership is simple and cautious, focusing on set batting orders and regular bowling plans, managing pressure well but using less bold or aggressive tactics than modern captains.

Under his captaincy, Pakistan whitewashed Australia just before the World Cup, won a three-match series against South Africa 2-1 this year, and drew a T20 series against Sri Lanka 1-1.

Yadav leads the side within a well-settled system, promoting aggressive batting, flexible bowling match-ups, and proactive field placements that reflect contemporary strategies in limited-overs cricket.

India under Suryakumar maintains an attacking approach, focusing on domination rather than reaction, while his leadership benefits from strong bench strength, consistent selections, and clear team philosophy.

M Ali