Suryakumar Yadav set to be removed as India T20I captain

 

India Set to Move On from Suryakumar Yadav as T20I Captain

BAJI LIVE Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson have emerged as the leading candidates to become India’s next T20I captain, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly preparing to replace current skipper Suryakumar Yadav ahead of the upcoming tours of Ireland and England.

Sources suggest that the selection committee and team management are aligned on the decision to remove Suryakumar from the leadership role, and he could even lose his place in the squad due to a prolonged dip in form. Senior BCCI officials are expected to discuss the team’s future direction during a key meeting on Thursday.

Suryakumar’s batting struggles have raised concerns for some time, and his disappointing performance in the 2026 IPL further intensified those worries. Despite ending the tournament with a half-century against Rajasthan Royals, the Mumbai Indians batter scored only 270 runs in 13 innings at an average of 20.76.

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Selectors Looking Ahead Despite World Cup Success

Although Suryakumar led India to the T20 World Cup title earlier this year, some within the Board felt he deserved another opportunity to continue as captain during the England tour. However, according to sources, selectors, BCCI officials, and team management, in consultation with head coach Gautam Gambhir, have agreed that it is time to begin planning for the future.

The first clear sign of this shift came when Suryakumar was left out of India’s long list for the upcoming Asian Games. The move is widely viewed as an indication that the Board is ready to transition to a new leadership group in the shortest format.

With a new cycle approaching, decision-makers are focused on identifying a captain who can lead the side over the long term while helping shape the next generation of India’s T20 setup.

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Iyer, Samson, and Axar Patel in the Leadership Conversation

While the Board has not yet finalized a successor, Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson are considered the frontrunners for the role. Vice-captain Axar Patel has also been discussed as a potential option.

Iyer strengthened his case after guiding Punjab Kings to the IPL final last season. Although the team started the 2026 campaign strongly, PBKS ultimately failed to reach the playoffs. Samson, meanwhile, continues to enjoy strong support within the Indian setup due to his leadership qualities and extensive experience at franchise level.

Sources also indicate that Tilak Varma is being prepared for a future leadership role. His appointment as India A captain for the tri-series in Sri Lanka reflects the Board’s long-term plans. However, with limited captaincy experience at the senior level, officials are reluctant to accelerate his promotion and prefer to give him more time to develop before considering him for a major leadership position.