Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav & Hardik Pandya in IPL 2025. PC- AFP
A lot has happened in the last couple of weeks in Indian cricket. T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav was removed as the India T20I captain, andShreyas Iyer has been named his successor by the BCCI.
Suryakumar's exit can be seen as an ugly transition, with pundits and fans asking for a better farewell for the former T20I captain.
As of yet, the national selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, have named Shreyas as the captain for the T20I series against Ireland & England, as well as the Asian Games 2026. Meanwhile, SKY has even lost his place in the Indian T20I side.
BCCI made bold calls in T20I team selection
Apart from that, the BCCI selectors have named a couple of more bold choices to the T20I side.
For starters, Rajat Patidar has failed to book a berth despite winning back-to-back IPL titles. Hardik Pandya has been rested from the T20I scheme of things.
Moreover, the team management has moved on from Kuldeep Yadav, who has been the mainstay spinner in the previous two T20 World Cups.
Also Read: Captaincy Curse? Shreyas Iyer Flops In 1st Innings After Being Named India Captain
Whereas players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ravi Bishnoi, and Prince Yadav have earned their places on the back of a sensational run in the IPL 2026.
Suryakumar Yadav gives blessing to Shreyas Iyer
While talking about India's transition in the T20I cricket, Suryakumar Yadav wholeheartedly backed BCCI's decision.
The reigning T20 World Cup-winning captain gave his blessing to Shreyas Iyer. However, he also remained his successor, who made his First-Class debut under SKY.
"We have been playing a lot of cricket for the last 12-13 years. He made his debut in 2013 under my captaincy, and we have been playing together since then. We have come a long way. I know how he is, how his journey has been," Suryakumar Yadav said about Shreyas Iyer while chatting in the Mumbai T20 League 2026.
Furthermore, he also expressed trust, admiration, and confidence in the current T20I captain’s leadership skills.
"I know how he played in franchise cricket and for India as well. He has been doing a wonderful job so far (in the IPL), with all the teams he has led. He will be the best man for the job over there with the boys, and they will respond really well because he understands the players. I have always played under him. I wish him all the luck; I told him the same thing yesterday as well, Suryakumar Yadav stated.
Contrasting times for Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer
Currently, both Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer are playing in the Mumbai T20 League 2026.
Playing for the SoBo Mumbai Falcons, Iyer has had a tough time, scoring just 45 in three innings at a strike rate of 109.76. He will also not take part in the tournament, as he has linked up with the Indian ODI squad, where he will serve as Shubman Gill's deputy.
The Indian ODI vice-captain will be seen in action in the first ODI against Afghanistan on Saturday at Dharamsala.
Meanwhile, Yadav has found his touch in the franchise tournament, hitting 163 runs in five innings at an average of 40.75 with a strike rate over 175. However, his team, Triumph Knights Mumbai North East, are sitting in the penultimate slot on the points table.
As his team's campaign has come to an end, the explosive batter might be seen next during the Duleep Trophy, scheduled to start on August 23.
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