New Delhi: The Indian cricket team's selectors are likely to relieve Suryakumar Yadav from his T20I captaincy duties when they meet to pick squads for the national team fixtures after the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). According to sources, key decision-makers have lost patience with the right-handed batter's prolonged lean patch and are keen to inject freshness for the next cycle, which begins with two T20 Internationals in Ireland followed by a five-match series in England. Barring a late change of heart, Shreyas Iyer could not only return to the T20I setup but also take over the captaincy.
Packed T20I calendar ahead
India are facing a packed T20I schedule in the buildup to the 2028 T20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics in the same year. As of now, Suryakumar Yadav's days as captain seem to be over, and it remains uncertain whether he will continue as a batter in the only format he plays for the country. The 35-year-old has repeatedly expressed his desire to lead for the next two years, but those in charge are unconvinced by his batting returns.
Recent performance and injury concerns
In his last assignment as captain, Surya led India to the 2026 T20 World Cup title, finishing the tournament with 242 runs in nine innings. However, 84 of those runs came in the team's opener against the USA. In high-pressure situations, the right-hander struggled, a pattern that has marked his recent spell for India. Since taking charge as T20I captain in July 2024, Surya has managed only 932 runs in 45 matches, enduring extended lean patches. His form has nosedived, with consistent runs only coming in the T20I series against New Zealand in January 2025.
Suryakumar Yadav's wrist trouble has also been a concern. During the T20 World Cup, he was repeatedly attended to by the team doctor for a wrist issue. Sources in the BCCI and Team India revealed that he has been playing through pain and discomfort, with a heavily taped right wrist. This taping became a regular sight during the World Cup, and he often summoned Dr. Rizwan Khan before batting sessions. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate downplayed the issue, calling it 'normal wear and tear.'
Captaincy record and future prospects
Despite a strong win percentage of 76.92 percent as captain and titles like the 2025 Asia Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup, Surya's underwhelming batting returns, dodgy wrist, and age are pushing the think-tank to look elsewhere. Shreyas Iyer, who has previous captaincy experience with Delhi Capitals in the IPL, is the leading candidate to take over.
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