New Delhi: The selectors are likely to get relief. Surya Kumar Yadav India’s T20I captaincy duties as they meet to pick the squad for the national team’s fixtures after IPL 2026. TimesofIndia.com has learned that key decision-makers have run out of patience with the right-handed batsman due to a lean patch, and are looking to inject some freshness for the next cycle, which begins after two T20Is in England in the five-Islands20. Barring a late change of heart, Shreyas Iyer Not only to be able to return to the T20I setup, but to do so as captain.India is looking at a packed T20I calendar in preparation for the 2028 World Cup and the LA Olympics that year. As of now, Suriya’s days as captain seem to be coming to an end and it remains to be seen whether he remains in the scheme of things as a batsman in the only format he plays for the country. Although the 35-year-old has repeatedly expressed his desire to continue as captain for the next two years, those who matter are not convinced of his return to batting.
In his last assignment, Surya led India to the 2026 T20 World Cup title, finishing the tournament with 242 runs in nine innings. 84 of those runs came in the team’s opener against the USA. Apart from that encounter, the right-hander struggled in high-pressure situations, a pattern that has marked his recent spell for Team India.
Surya Kumar Yadav’s form has dipped since becoming the captain of the T20I team. (Photo: TOI)
Since taking charge as captain in the shortest format in July 2024, Suriya has been out of form and managed only a few consecutive runs in the T20I series against New Zealand in January this year. Since being handed the leadership, Surya has scored just 932 runs in 45 matches and has endured a long patch.Wrist trouble?
Suryakumar Yadav was repeatedly sidelined by the team doctor during the T20 World Cup due to a wrist problem.
Sources in the BCCI and Team India revealed that the right-hander is dodging a troubled wrist while playing through pain and discomfort. Since last season with the Mumbai Indians, he has batted and fielded with heavy tape on his right wrist and avoided exercises that involved direct pressure.Although tapping and padding has not been consistent throughout the competitions, it has become a regular sight during the T20 World Cup. Just before the batting session, he would call for Dr. Rizwan Khan — the team doctor — who would rush to the dressing room to get cotton pads and brown tape to secure the wrist. In one instance, both seriously focus on the wrist before Surya knocks. This sequence was repeated at several locations away from the cameras. When asked about the drill during a mixed media zone interview, assistant coach Ryan Ten-Douchet brushed it off, saying, “It could be normal wear and tear.”
Surya Kumar Yadav has made a good comeback since becoming India’s T20I captain in July 2024.
While Suriya enjoys a strong winning percentage as captain (76.92 per cent) and boasts multiple titles (2025 Asia Cup and 2026 T20 World Cup), his impressive returns with the bat, wrist and age are forcing think tanks to look elsewhere.
