Shock for Surya, Iyer Named Captain

India lifted the T20 World Cup under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy in dominant fashion, but the board’s decision to move on has sparked discussions. Despite his leadership success, concerns over his recent batting form played a crucial role. In IPL 2026, representing Mumbai Indians, Suryakumar managed only 270 runs in 13 matches at an average of 20.76 and failed to deliver any impactful innings even in the Mumbai T20 League. These factors reportedly influenced the selectors’ tough call.

Looking ahead to the 2028 T20 World Cup and cricket’s return at the Los Angeles Olympics, the selectors are focusing on building a strong young core. Shreyas Iyer, known for his exceptional IPL captaincy record, has been entrusted with leading the next phase despite not playing T20Is since December 2023. He will captain India in upcoming series against Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games 2026. Meanwhile, Tilak Varma has been appointed vice-captain, Nitish Kumar Reddy earns a spot, and 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi secures a place across all major squads.