India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav has reportedly been removed as captain of the national T20 side and is unlikely to feature in future selections as the team prepares for upcoming tours of Ireland and England.
According to reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), in consultation with the selection committee, team management, and head coach Gautam Gambhir, has decided to appoint a new captain for the next T20I cycle. The move comes just three months after Suryakumar led India to their third T20 World Cup title.
While India achieved success under his leadership, concerns over Suryakumar’s individual form played a significant role in the decision. A senior BCCI official stated that the management felt it was time to move in a new direction, considering both his recent performances and long-term plans for the team.
Suryakumar has struggled with consistency over the past two years, and his form declined further during the 2026 Indian Premier League season. Representing the Mumbai Indians, he scored 270 runs in 13 innings at an average of 20.76, managing only one half-century throughout the campaign.
Despite the criticism surrounding his batting, Suryakumar remained focused on team success during his captaincy tenure. He had previously stated that leadership responsibilities shifted his focus toward team performance rather than personal milestones. Following India’s T20 World Cup triumph, he expressed confidence that his batting form would eventually return.
Suryakumar was appointed India’s T20I captain after Rohit Sharma retired from the format following the 2024 T20 World Cup. His leadership culminated in World Cup success, but the selectors now appear keen to begin a new chapter with a different captain at the helm.
An official announcement regarding the new captain and squad for the upcoming tours is expected in the coming days.
