BCCI to move on Suryakumar Yadav as captain; THIS star to lead India in T20Is after IPL 2026 - Reports
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Suryakumar Yadav’s poor form has raised questions over his T20I future as captain.
India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav is under pressure after another disappointing run with the bat. The selectors are now seriously reviewing his role in the shortest format ahead of India’s next T20I cycle after Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
Despite leading India towards their consecutive ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title earlier this year, Suryakumar Yadav struggled for consistency during the tournament. He scored 242 runs in nine innings, but 84 of those runs came against the USA in the opening game. In the remaining matches, he failed to make big contributions in pressure situations.
Since becoming India’s T20I captain in July 2024, Suryakumar has enjoyed success as a leader. India won the Asia Cup 2025 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 under him.
He also has a strong win percentage of 76.92 as captain. However, his batting numbers have remained below expectations. In 45 matches as captain, the 35-year-old has scored only 932 runs and has gone through several lean patches.
Shreyas Iyer set to replace Suryakumar Yadav as T20I captain
India are preparing for a busy T20I calendar before the T20 World Cup 2028 and the Los Angeles Olympics. The next cycle starts with two T20Is in Ireland followed by a five-match series in England. According to reports, the selectors now want fresh leadership ideas for the future.
As per a report by TimesofIndia, Shreyas Iyer is emerging as a strong option for the captaincy role. He is expected to return to India’s T20I setup after missing out recently. His leadership success in the IPL with different franchises over the last three seasons has impressed the selectors.
However, reports in Revsportz, claimed, Hardik Pandya is also in the race for leadership, despite his poor record in the IPL in recent years.
The reports also claimed that Suryakumar has been dealing with a wrist problem for a long time. During the T20 World Cup, he regularly played with heavy taping on his right wrist. Before batting sessions, team doctor Dr Rizwan Khan often helped him secure the wrist with cotton pads and brown tape.
When assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate was asked about the issue, he said, “It could be normal wear and tear”.
Apart from Iyer, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan have also been discussed as leadership options for the future.
Why is Suryakumar Yadav being removed?
He has struggled with the bat despite India’s success in T20 cricket.
Why is Shreyas Iyer being considered as next T20I captain?
Selectors are impressed with his IPL captaincy performances in recent seasons.
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Ishika Aggarwal is a passionate sports writer and lifelong cricket fan who thrives on capturing the moments that make the game unforgettable, from last-over thrillers to record-breaking centuries. Through match analysis, player profiles, and behind-the-scenes stories, she brings fans closer to the heartbeat of cricket.