Eye on future: Shreyas Iyer likely to replace Suryakumar Yadav as India T20I captain

New Delhi: Selectors are likely to relieve Suryakumar Yadav from India's T20I captaincy duties when they meet to pick squads for the national team fixtures after IPL 2026. TimesofIndia.com has learnt that key decision-makers have run out of patience with the right-hander's lean patch with the bat, and want to inject some freshness for the next cycle which begins with two T20Is in Ireland followed by five matches in England. Barring a late change of heart, Shreyas Iyer could not just return to the T20I setup but do so as the captain.

India are staring at a packed T20I calendar in the buildup to the 2028 World Cup and the LA Olympics the same year. As of now, Surya's days as captain appear to be over and it remains to be seen whether he stays in the scheme of things as a batter in the only format he plays for the country. While the 35-year-old has repeatedly expressed desire to continue as captain for the next two years, the men who matter are unconvinced by his batting returns.

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 against the USA in the team's opener. Except that contest, the right-hander struggled in high-pressure situations, a pattern that has marked his recent spell for Team India.

Since taking charge as the captain in the shortest format in July 2024, Surya has remained woefully out of form and could only manage some consistent runs in the T20I series versus New Zealand in January this year. Ever since being handed the leadership role, Surya has managed only 932 runs in 45 matches and has endured extended lean patches.

Wrist trouble?

Well-placed sources in the BCCI and Team India revealed that the right-hander has been dodging a troubled wrist, playing through the accompanying pain and discomfort. Since last season with the Mumbai Indians, he batted and fielded with a heavily taped right wrist and avoided exercises that exerted direct pressure.