![Suryakumar Yadav to be axed [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1780501269959_SuryakumarYadavsSackedT20ICaptain.jpg?type=hq)
Suryakumar Yadav to be axed [Source: AFP]
In a significant development, Suryakumar Yadav is reportedly set to lose India’s T20I captaincy following a prolonged bad patch. India will play a 2-game T20I series against Ireland next, and an official decision is expected soon.
Yadav, who led India to the title victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, has apparently lost the trust of the management. Despite being one of the most senior and reputed talents in the squad, SKY will likely face his inevitable fate soon.
Suryakumar Yadav to lose T20I captaincy
According to the Indian Express, the BCCI, selectors and team management have decided to move on from Suryakumar Yadav as India's T20I captain despite his success in leading India to the 2026 T20 World Cup title.
Not only that, SKY may not even be considered for selection in India's T20I squad going forward, according to a BCCI official who spoke to the Indian Express.
“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. 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 source apparently said that despite Suryakumar’s success as a captain, head coach Gautam Gambhir and others believe that India must look forward to the future and move on. And the final decision is yet to be conveyed to Yadav.
If confirmed, the move to sack Suryakumar Yadav would mark one of the most dramatic post-World Cup captaincy changes in recent Indian cricket history.
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Why did the BCCI lose faith in Suryakumar Yadav?
Interestingly, Suryakumar Yadav’s axing was merely the writing on the wall. The key reason why the BCCI lost faith in him was his poor batting form. He scored only 270 runs in 13 IPL 2026 innings with an average of 20.76.
Not only that, Yadav’s T20 batting returns over the last two years have been inconsistent compared to the standards he set earlier in his career. Hence, the selectors reportedly believe that India should begin a new T20 cycle with a different captain and potentially a younger core.
While sacking Suryakumar Yadav after he led the team to an ICC trophy just three months ago appears abrupt and surprising, it’s not the first time something like this has happened.
A couple of months after India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, captain Rohit Sharma was removed as captain, and Shubman Gill replaced him full-time.
Now, the only thing left for Suryakumar Yadav is to perform well in the Mumbai T20 League 2026 to retain his spot as a specialist batter in India’s T20I squad.
Who will replace Suryakumar Yadav?
That being said, while the BCCI is yet to confirm the sacking of Suryakumar Yadav as India’s T20I captain, discussions over his potential replacements have already begun.
According to rumours, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson and Axar Patel are primary contenders to grab India’s T20I captaincy beginning from the Ireland series.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya could also be considered, but his fitness and workload management concerns could pose a roadblock. So far, Iyer appears to be the frontrunner given his consistency and stellar record as captain in the IPL for KKR and PBKS.
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