Just three months after leading India to the T20 World Cup title in March, Suryakumar Yadav is set to be removed as captain of the national T20 side, with the selectors expected to finalise a new leader when they pick the squads for the Ireland and England tour. Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer have emerged as the leading contenders for the role, while Sanju Samson, whose name has been widely discussed in recent weeks, is not believed to be among the final options under consideration.
Suryakumar initially appeared to enjoy the complete backing of both the selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir following India’s World Cup triumph. However, a prolonged slump in form since then has forced the management to reassess not only his leadership role but also his place in the T20 side.
Diminishing returns with the bat across international cricket, the IPL and domestic T20 competitions have reportedly left the selectors increasingly concerned. Patience within the selection panel is believed to be wearing thin, with growing sentiment that the team may need a fresh direction ahead of the next T20 World Cup cycle and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Sources indicate that the issue was discussed during the national selectors’ internal weekly review meeting held virtually on Wednesday. While no final decision has been taken, the move away from Suryakumar is understood to have gained momentum during those discussions. The formal selection committee meeting is expected to be held in Mumbai on Saturday.
There is also speculation that Suryakumar has been dealing with a wrist injury that has affected the free-flowing, 360-degree strokeplay that made him one of the world’s most feared T20 batters. Even so, his struggles over an extended period have made his position increasingly difficult to justify.
Shreyas, Ishan, Tilak frontrunners to succeed SKY?
The selectors are now weighing whether to hand the responsibility to a younger leader such as Tilak Varma, 23, or Ishan Kishan, 27, as part of a long-term succession plan. At the same time, Shreyas Iyer remains a serious contender despite not being part of India’s current T20 setup.
Iyer has not played a T20I since December 2023, but his leadership credentials remain highly regarded after successful stints in domestic and franchise cricket. Since then, India have played more than 60 T20Is and won two T20 World Cups without him in the squad. But his ability to build and lead competitive teams has kept him firmly in the conversation.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir is expected to have a significant say in the decision. Whether the team management opts for an experienced leader like Iyer or backs one of the younger candidates could shape India’s T20 future for several years.
Meanwhile, teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is understood to be under serious consideration for a place in the national T20 squad. The 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals star was the standout performer of IPL 2026, finishing as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.30.
The selectors are also believed to be considering Rajat Patidar as a possible addition to the batting group. Patidar recently led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a second consecutive IPL title and enjoyed a prolific season with the bat, scoring 501 runs at a strike rate of nearly 193.
Sooryavanshi has already been picked for the India A tri-series in Sri Lanka later this month, but a call-up to the senior side now appears increasingly likely as selectors look to reward one of the most remarkable breakout seasons in IPL history.