In a development that has surprised many in the cricketing world, Suryakumar Yadav is reportedly set to lose the captaincy of India’s T20I side just three months after leading the team to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 title.
According to sources quoted by NDTV, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is considering a major leadership change as part of its long-term plans for the 2028 T20 World Cup. Sources further suggest that not only is Yadav’s captaincy under review, but his place in India’s first-choice T20I playing XI is also being discussed. A final decision is expected before the selectors announce the squads for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England later this month.
The primary concern appears to be Yadav’s prolonged dip in batting form. Widely regarded as one of the most destructive T20 batters in the world, Yadav built his reputation through his ability to dominate attacks with his trademark 360-degree strokeplay while batting in the middle order.
However, his numbers have declined significantly since he took over the T20I captaincy in July 2024. Before becoming captain, Yadav averaged 43.60 in T20 internationals, scoring four centuries and 20 fifties. Since assuming leadership, his average has dropped to 25.88, with six half-centuries and four ducks during that period.
Despite maintaining an impressive overall T20I record of 3,272 runs in 113 matches at an average of 36.35 and a strike rate of 162.94, his recent performances have raised concerns. He scored 429 runs in 18 T20Is during 2024 at an average of 26.81, followed by 702 runs in 35 matches across 2025 and 2026 at an average of 26.
His struggles became more noticeable after a half-century against Bangladesh in October 2024. Although he briefly rediscovered form with a series of fifties against New Zealand in January 2026 and an unbeaten 84 against the USA during the T20 World Cup, he was unable to maintain consistency.
The concerns were further amplified during IPL 2026, where the Mumbai Indians star managed only 270 runs in 13 innings at an average of 20.76.
Ironically, Yadav’s tenure as captain has been highly successful from a team perspective. Under his leadership, India won the 2025 Asia Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup, adding to his previous achievements as part of India’s victorious squads in the 2023 Asia Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup.
However, with the selectors reportedly focused on building a younger core for the future, Yadav’s declining batting returns may have forced a rethink. As India prepares for the next phase of its white-ball journey, the BCCI appears ready to make one of its boldest calls yet, potentially bringing an end to Suryakumar Yadav’s chapter as India’s T20I captain.
