Mumbai: In a major development for Indian cricket, Suryakumar Yadav has been removed as captain of India’s T20I team and is also unlikely to retain his place in the squad for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England later this month.
The decision comes barely three months after Suryakumar led India to the T20 World Cup title on home soil, making the move one of the most significant leadership changes in recent years. Reports suggest that the team management and selectors are looking ahead to the next phase of India’s T20 setup and have decided to move in a different direction.
While India enjoyed considerable success under Suryakumar’s leadership, concerns had been growing over his prolonged slump with the bat. His struggles continued in recent outings, adding to questions about his future role in the side. Reports suggest that selectors are keen to build a younger core ahead of upcoming global tournaments.
The development follows other indications of a possible transition. Suryakumar was recently left out of the provisional list submitted for the Asian Games, a move that sparked speculation about his standing within the team’s long-term plans.
Although the BCCI has not yet made an official announcement regarding the new captain, names such as Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma have emerged as potential contenders for the role. The upcoming Ireland series is expected to provide further clarity on the direction the selectors intend to take.
For Suryakumar, the decision marks a dramatic turn in fortunes. From lifting the T20 World Cup trophy in March to losing the captaincy within months, the experienced batter now faces the challenge of reviving his form and reclaiming his place in India’s plans.
