The Board of Control for Cricket in India is reportedly considering a major change in India’s T20I leadership after the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 season, with Shreyas Iyer emerging as a strong candidate to replace Suryakumar Yadav as captain. The selection committee is expected to discuss the matter while finalising squads for India’s upcoming series.
As per a report by the Times of India, the BCCI is concerned about Suryakumar’s poor run of form with the bat and believes this could be the right time to begin a leadership transition, especially with long-term events like the 2028 T20 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in focus.
India are scheduled to play T20I series against Ireland, Zimbabwe, and England in the coming months, which could provide an ideal opportunity to test a new captain. Although Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are also being viewed as possible options, decision-makers are reportedly more impressed by Shreyas Iyer’s leadership record and his consistent success in the IPL.
“As of now, Surya’s days as captain appear to be over and it remains to be seen whether he stays in the scheme of things as a batter in the only format he plays for the country. While the 35-year-old has repeatedly expressed desire to continue as captain for the next two years, the men who matter are unconvinced by his batting returns,” the report mentions.
Apart from a strong IPL season, Suryakumar Yadav endured a disappointing 2025, particularly in T20 internationals. The right-handed batter managed only 218 runs in 21 matches, averaging 13.63 with a strike rate of 123.16.
Despite showing some improvement during the T20I series against New Zealand national cricket team and the T20 World Cup 2026, Suryakumar Yadav has continued to struggle with the bat. Representing MI in IPL 2026, he has scored 195 runs from 10 matches at an average of 19.50, with only one half-century so far.
Suryakumar Yadav Continues to Struggle With Wrist Injury Sustained Last Year
The report further stated that Suryakumar Yadav has been dealing with pain and discomfort from a wrist injury, which may have contributed to his underwhelming performances over the past year.
“While the taping and padding have not been consistent through competitions, it became a regular sight during the T20 World Cup. Right before a batting session, he would summon Dr Rizwan Khan — the team’s doctor — who would rush to the dressing room to get cotton pads and brown tapes to secure the wrist. In one instance, the two paid serious attention to the wrist before Surya could start knocking,” the report states.
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