T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav likely to be sacked, Shreyar Iyer among 3 frontrunners to lead team India
PTC News Desk: India could soon have a new T20I captain, with Shreyas Iyer emerging as the frontrunner to lead the team during the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England. If appointed, Iyer would replace Suryakumar Yadav, who captained India to the T20 World Cup title earlier this year.
While head coach Gautam Gambhir will be consulted before a final decision is made, sources indicate that the selectors are keen on identifying a long-term captain who can lead India through the next two T20 World Cups. Although Suryakumar guided India to World Cup success, concerns over his recent form have reportedly influenced the selectors' thinking.
Suryakumar struggled in IPL 2026, scoring just 270 runs in 13 matches for Mumbai Indians, who finished ninth in the standings. In contrast, Iyer's leadership credentials and consistent performances in the IPL have strengthened his case for the role.
However, selectors are also keeping an eye on Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan as potential future leaders. If Iyer is handed the captaincy, one of the two young players is expected to be named vice-captain in the shortest format.
The BCCI is also set to announce the squad for the upcoming Asian Games, where India will field a full-strength side in an attempt to defend the gold medal won in 2022. Rising star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is likely to earn a place in the T20 setup following a sensational IPL 2026 campaign. The 15-year-old amassed 776 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 237.20 and swept multiple post-season awards, making a strong case for national selection.
- With inputs from agencies
