Just three months after leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad, Suryakumar Yadav, aged 35, has been removed from his captaincy role and may not be selected for the upcoming squad meeting of the selectors. While this decision may surprise some, it aligns with the selection committee’s approach of making decisive choices rather than allowing situations to stagnate.
Recently, Suryakumar has struggled with his performance. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he hit only 10 sixes across 13 matches, falling behind emerging players in terms of both boundaries and strike rates. Prior to the T20 World Cup held in India earlier this year, he was already facing challenges in scoring big runs, despite a brief resurgence with three fifties against New Zealand that seemed to signal a recovery. However, his performance during the World Cup was underwhelming.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also experienced similar fates when their forms dipped. Following a series defeat in Australia and a significant loss to New Zealand at home, Rohit stepped down from his role. Meanwhile, Kohli retired ahead of India’s tour to England, where Shubman Gill was appointed as the Test captain for the first time.
Gill himself faced exclusion from the T20 team due to a lack of form prior to the World Cup, despite serving as vice-captain. With the next T20 World Cup more than two years away, Suryakumar’s age may work against him in securing a spot in the team going forward.
Had he been granted more opportunities, Suryakumar, recognized as one of the most explosive T20 players globally, might have found his rhythm again. However, the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, aims to refresh the team as they prepare for a five-match T20 series in England, preceded by a two-match series in Ireland.
By parting ways with Suryakumar now, the next captain will have ample time to acclimate to the leadership role. The year 2028 marks a significant moment for cricket, as it returns to the Olympics after more than a century, presenting India with the chance to secure a third consecutive T20 World Cup title.
Just last July, selectors appointed Suryakumar as captain for a series in Sri Lanka. At that time, there were expectations for Hardik Pandya, who was vice-captain during India’s 2024 World Cup triumph, to take over the leadership role. Concerns about Hardik’s fitness for all matches, however, led to a change in plans.
During the same meeting, Gill, who was serving as the Test captain, was designated as Suryakumar’s deputy. This arrangement appeared to be in place for the T20 World Cup, but when the team was finalized months later, another tough decision was made based on performance rather than reputation, resulting in Gill being dropped in favor of Ishan Kishan. While Gill struggled with his strike rate, Kishan had been delivering quick runs and had led Jharkhand to a domestic T20 championship.
If selectors choose to elevate Gill to lead the T20 team as well, it would not be surprising. His selection would be a logical choice, as he established a solid T20 batting strategy during the 2026 IPL, amassing 732 runs at an impressive strike rate of 163.02, with only the prodigious Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scoring more. Additionally, Gill’s relatively young age offers the team continuity, allowing for a single captain across all formats for the first time since Rohit Sharma’s leadership.
Nihal Koshie serves as an Associate Editor and sports journalist at The Indian Express, recognized for his comprehensive reporting and investigative work that often delves into the intersection of sports and social issues. Based out of The Indian Express’ Noida office, he is also a vital part of the sports desk.
In his professional capacity, Koshie has garnered accolades, including the esteemed Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism, winning it twice for his impactful stories in sports journalism and investigative reporting.
His recent work has focused on investigative and human-interest topics, including a profile of an Indian teenager involved in a doping scandal in Kenya while chasing Olympic dreams, as well as ongoing coverage of the ramifications of protests in Indian wrestling.
Additionally, Koshie contributes to the “Game Time” podcast by The Indian Express, where he provides analysis on current sporting events. With over 24 years of experience in sports journalism, he previously worked with Times of India and Daily News and Analysis before joining The Indian Express in 2010.
To stay informed about the latest developments in sports, including cricket, football, and chess, readers can follow real-time updates and detailed coverage of ongoing matches.
