Suryakumar Yadav Breaks Silence on Removal as India's T20I Captain After T20 World Cup 2026 Win

In a revelation that has sent ripples through the cricketing world, Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20 World Cup-winning captain, has broken his silence on being unceremoniously dropped from the national T20I squad and stripped of his captaincy. The dynamic batter admitted it was "tough to comprehend" when the BCCI selection committee informed him "it was time to move on". ‘Trying to Make a Comeback?’, Suryakumar Yadav Shares Light-Hearted Banter With Sanath Jayasuriya.

Suryakumar Yadav on Removal as T20I Captain After T20 World Cup 2026

Yadav's candid remarks come nearly three months after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a major leadership shake-up in early June 2026, replacing him with Shreyas Iyer as the T20I captain for the tours of Ireland and England, and the Asian Games. This decision was particularly jarring as it followed India's triumph in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, where Yadav had led the team to their third title. The Asian Games are scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Japan.

The Shocking Call

Speaking to former India batter Aakash Chopra, Yadav, who is 35 years old, recounted the moment he received the unexpected call. "They called me two-three days before the team was announced," Suryakumar stated. "They called me, saying it's time to move on. I didn't react. Because it's not my fault. That's not how SKY has ever been." He further elaborated, acknowledging the decision-makers' perspective: "Whatever call someone took. He must have thought that this was better for the team. Going forward, this will be a good call."

His emotional response highlighted the difficulty of processing the news. "Obviously, the situation that has come now, even I had not thought that this would happen," Yadav conceded. "After coming in 2026, I felt that, going forward, I would be taking this team forward for another two years. The Olympics will come. Then there will be another T20 World Cup, another challenge going forward."

Reasons Behind the Sacking

The BCCI's decision was reportedly influenced by Yadav's dip in form, particularly during the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) and certain phases of the T20 World Cup. In IPL 2026, Suryakumar scored 270 runs in 13 innings, with the Mumbai Indians finishing ninth. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar, while announcing Shreyas Iyer's appointment, cited a combination of Suryakumar's recent form and the need for "future planning" as factors.

A Stellar T20I Career

Despite the recent setback, Suryakumar Yadav's T20 International career remains stellar. Known for his 360-degree stroke play, he has been a dominant force in the format:

He is India's third-highest run-scorer in T20Is, behind only Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Yadav also achieved the ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year award in both 2022 and 2023, and held the top rank in ICC T20I batting rankings from October 2022 to June 2024. Suryakumar Yadav Refutes Fake Statement Attributed to Him, Supports Team India and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Suryakumar Yadav's removal marks a significant transition phase for Indian cricket, with the focus now shifting towards building a team for future global events. Despite the disappointment, Yadav expressed his readiness to continue playing and supporting the team, affirming his commitment to the sport that he has graced with his exceptional talent. He hopes his hard work will eventually pave the way for a comeback.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2026 10:40 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).