Captaincy was not a problem. Rather Suryakumar Yadav’s dip in form with the bat for the past couple of years impacted big as the Mumbai Indians batter is set to be stripped of the captaincy just three months after leading India to their third T20 World Cup title.
According to an Indian Express report, the BCCI has finalised to not go with Suryakumar as India’s T20I captain and is also set to lose his spot in the squad. “The selection committee, BCCI and team management, in consultation with coach Gautam Gambhir, have decided that India should go with a new skipper from here on,” the website quoted a BCCI source.
“Under Surya’s captaincy, the team did win the T20 World Cup but keeping his form and future in mind, they felt it’s time to move on,” the official added. The development comes in just before India’s tours of England and Ireland.
With the T20 World Cup and Los Angeles Olympics coming in 2028, the BCCI is exploring a few options with a long run in mind.
Three contenders emerge to succeed Suryakymar
Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma are in BCCI selector’s mind. While Tolak
Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer are understood to be on the selectors’ shortlist ahead of their meeting in Mumbai on Saturday (June 6), when the leadership change is expected to be formally ratified. Sanju Samson, whose name has figured prominently in media speculation, is unlikely to make the final cut.
It would not be surprising if one of the younger contenders – Tilak (23) or Ishan (27) – gets the nod. However, Iyer (31) remains very much in contention, particularly after the manner in which he galvanised Punjab Kings and led them to a remarkable season in 2025.
It is a different matter that Punjab Kings failed to reach the playoffs this year after a blazing start, but Iyer’s leadership credentials remain beyond question. The only factor working against him is that he is not part of the current India T20I setup. He has not played a T20I in nearly 30 months, since December 2023, a period during which India have played 63 T20Is, won two T20 World Cups and enjoyed all the glory that came with those triumphs.
In the appointment of the new captain, Gautam Gambhir’s role cannot be overstated. Whether the head coach opts for the more experienced Iyer – with whom he enjoyed a successful professional association at Kolkata Knight Riders if not exactly a great personal equation – or backs a younger candidate will be of considerable significance.
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