India Next T20 Captain- BCCI Moves On From Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav (Source: AFP)

As IPL 2026 is almost reaching its final stage, Team India’s attention is slowly shifting towards the international schedule. The ‘Men in Blue’ will host Afghanistan for a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series in June before travelling to Ireland for a two-match T20I series later in the month.

However, discussions about India’s T20I captaincy have gained momentum, with current skipper Suryakumar Yadav in limelight due to his poor form with the bat.

India's schedule for Ireland tour 2026

After the conclusion of IPL 2026, India will host the Afghanistan, and the two teams will first face off in a one-off Test in Mullanpur from June 6 to 10. Then the teams will shift their focus to the three-match ODI series to be played in Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai.

Following that assignment, India will travel to Ireland for two T20Is in Belfast on June 26 and June 28.

But ahead of the Ireland tour, one player who has been on the radar of the BCCI is India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav.

Suryakumar Yadav's lean patch continues

While Suryakumar Yadav guided India to the T20 World Cup title earlier this year, his individual performance with the bat has remained far below expectations.

Since taking over as India's full-time T20I captain, the stylish batter has struggled to produce consistent runs. In 2025, SKY managed only 218 runs in 19 T20I innings at an average of 13.62 and a strike-rate of 123.16.

During the T20 World Cup 2026, he scored 242 runs in 9 innings at an average of 30.25 and a strike rate of 136.72.

Also Read: Shreyas Iyer vs Sanju Samson Captaincy Record Comparison: Who Should Replace Suryakumar Yadav?

His poor form is also evident in IPL 2026, representing MI, Suryakumar has scored only 195 runs in 11 matches at an average of 17 and a strike rate of 144, with just one half-century.

 As of now, overall in 2026, SKY has played a total of 14 T20Is and made 484 runs at an average of 44.00 and a strike-rate of 161.33.

BCCI likely to discuss India's T20I captaincy future

According to reports from The Hindu, the BCCI selection committee is expected to hold informal discussions regarding India's T20I leadership during its meeting in Guwahati on May 19. 

The meeting has been officially scheduled to select the squad for the Afghanistan Test, but discussions about the Ireland and England T20I tours are also expected.

It is important to note that several members of the BCCI and team management wanted to retain the same leadership group after India’s T20 World Cup triumph. 

However, Suryakumar's form has reportedly forced decision-makers to rethink their long-term plans with the 2028 T20 World Cup in focus.

While keeping the focus on the T20 World Cup 2028, Team India's management and think tank would want to create a strong team under fresh leadership.

Who Can Replace Suryakumar Yadav as India’s T20I Captain?

Several names have emerged as possible replacements if the selectors decide to move on from Suryakumar.

Hardik Pandya remains one of the strongest candidates because of his previous captaincy experience with India. 

Shreyas Iyer has also impressed many with his leadership style in the IPL for Punjab Kings. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan are also in the list to replace Suryakumar Yadav.

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