Suryakumar Yadav may have been replaced by Shreyas Iyer as India’s T20I captain, but he has nothing but warm wishes for his fellow Mumbai cricketer. The selectors made a bold call on June 6, removing Suryakumar from the role as they looked ahead to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028.
Also read: Does Suryakumar Yadav deserve to remain India’s T20I captain
Suryakumar’s sacking came as a surprise to many, given that under his leadership India had clinched the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, becoming the first home side to win the title and the first team to defend it. That triumph marked India’s third T20 World Cup crown, the most by any team since the tournament’s inception.
Speaking at the T20 Mumbai League while leading Triumphs Knights MNE against SoBo Mumbai Falcons, Surya said: “Very happy for Shreyas Iyer. We played a lot of cricket for Mumbai and India together. Most importantly, three back-to-back T20I captains for India from Mumbai now, and it is a very proud moment for all of us at Mumbai cricket.”
Ajit Agarkar explains the rationale behind Suryakumar Yadav’s axing
Ajit Agarkar, chairman of the All India Senior Men’s National Selection Committee, acknowledged the difficulty of stripping Suryakumar of the captaincy but stressed that the move was made with the next World Cup cycle in mind. He also pointed to Surya’s form as a factor.
“With regards to Surya, obviously, it’s a tough one, having just won the World Cup, but as it happens, after most World Cups, we try and reassess what the best way forward is,” Agarkar said while announcing India’s T20I squad for the Ireland and England series.
“Partly his own form, but also looking at the next two-year cycle, or a little bit more than two years now till the next World Cup, we thought this was the best way forward. Like I said, Shreyas is a well-deserving candidate.”
“Of course, it’s a tough decision [to leave out Suryakumar]. Someone who led you in the World Cup, it’s not the easiest thing to try and change. But like I said, we’ve not had any international cricket after that World Cup. Partly the form, but partly also how we go forward is always at the back of your mind. And moving ahead, with a new captain, in this case, Shreyas was in our view the right call.”
