4 days ago
Suryakumar Yadav Questions T20I Snub After World Cup Triumph
Suryakumar Yadav used to captain India’s T20 cricket team.
India won major tournaments and did not lose a T20 series while he was captain.
The selectors then removed him as captain and left him out of the next squad.
This surprised him because he thought he would lead the team for two more years.
He said his recent batting had not been as strong as before.
Shreyas Iyer was chosen as the new captain.
Suryakumar said he does not blame Iyer and believes he is a good player and leader.
He spent about 40 to 50 days thinking about whether to continue playing.
His wife reminded him of his love for cricket, and he is now focused on returning in T20 matches.
Suryakumar Yadav said he was shocked and disappointed after being removed as India’s T20I captain and dropped from the UK tour squad.
He questioned the change because India won the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup without losing a T20I series during his captaincy.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selectors appointed Shreyas Iyer as the new T20I captain.
Reports linked Suryakumar’s omission to declining batting form, including a modest IPL 2026 season and limited success after 2024.
Suryakumar said he respected the decision, praised Iyer, and is now preparing for a T20 comeback rather than pursuing ODI cricket.
- Who
- Suryakumar Yadav, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, and new captain Shreyas Iyer.
- What
- Suryakumar discussed being removed as India’s T20I captain and dropped from the squad after India’s World Cup triumph.
- Where
- He spoke with Aakash Chopra on YouTube and in a podcast conversation.
- When
- The selectors informed him two or three days before the Ireland and England squads were announced; he later discussed the decision with Aakash Chopra.
- Why
- The reports associate the decision with concerns about his declining batting form, although Suryakumar’s captaincy record was successful.
Suryakumar’s Perspective
Selectors’ Reported Rationale
Reason for changing captain
Suryakumar’s Perspective
Suryakumar questioned why the leadership had to change when India had won the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup and remained unbeaten in T20I series under him.
Selectors’ Reported Rationale
The selection reports emphasized his declining batting form, including weak returns in 2025 and a modest IPL 2026 campaign.
Expected future
Suryakumar’s Perspective
Suryakumar said he expected to lead India for another two years toward the next T20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics.
Selectors’ Reported Rationale
The selectors moved forward with Shreyas Iyer as captain and left Suryakumar out of the Ireland and England tour squad.
Reaction to Iyer’s appointment
Suryakumar’s Perspective
Suryakumar said he had no resentment toward Iyer and described him as a good player, person, and captain, while still acknowledging his own disappointment.
Selectors’ Reported Rationale
The selectors’ decision was implemented despite Suryakumar’s successful captaincy record, reflecting a reported focus on his individual batting form.
Key facts
- Selector message
- Suryakumar said the selectors told him it was “time to move on.”
- Captaincy record
- Reports say India did not lose a T20I series and won the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup during his captaincy.
- 2025 T20I record
- He scored 218 runs in 21 T20Is, with no half-century and a best score of 47 not out.
- 2026 T20I record
- One report says he scored 484 runs in 14 matches, including two half-centuries.
- Post-2024 record
- Another report says he scored 932 runs in 42 innings after the 2024 T20 World Cup, averaging 25.88 with six half-centuries.
- IPL 2026 record
- Reports variously list 270 or 280 runs in 13 innings or matches for Mumbai Indians.
- Career T20I record
- PTI reported 3,272 runs in 113 T20Is, with four centuries, 25 fifties, and a highest score of 117.
- Reported timeline discrepancy
- The reports differ on whether the omission followed the 2024 or 2026 T20 World Cup; the other details describe the UK tour after the 2026 tournament.
Quotes
Suryakumar Yadav
Former India T20I captain discussing his omission and reaction
“Because you have not lost a single series in two years. You have won the World Cup and the Asia Cup. Then you want the same thing to go forward. Because when everything is going well, then why? What is the reason for the change? What is the reason for the change? It was going on in my mind. I was sitting at home for a month and a half.”
livemint.com
“I was thinking, how can this happen? How is it possible? We just won the World Cup. Yes, IPL was not as good as how I wanted. We were sitting at home. Friends came; family came. Everyone said that it's okay. Part of life. But then, when they leave the house. We stay alone at home.”
wionews.com
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
Suryakumar Yadav reveals what went through his mind after captaincy axe
Suryakumar Yadav was shocked over T20I captaincy sacking
Suryakumar Yadav opens up for first time since T20I snub post WC; ‘Because when everything is going well, then why?’
‘How can this happen?’: Suryakumar Yadav opens up on India snub after T20 World Cup triumph
Suryakumar Yadav Opens Up on Being Axed as India's T20I Captain
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