Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy of the India men’s T20I team is reportedly in jeopardy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering alternatives due to Yadav’s poor form.
Potential Replacements for T20I Captaincy
Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, and Tilak Varma are reportedly among the candidates being considered to potentially replace Suryakumar Yadav. According to a PTI report, Shreyas is a ‘powerful contender.’ However, head coach Gautam Gambhir’s final say will determine the ultimate decision, with uncertainty surrounding his relationship with Iyer.
Shreyas was reportedly disappointed that team mentor Gambhir received most of the credit for Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2024 win. Shubman Gill and Tilak Varma are also in contention.
Gill and Varma as Possible Captains
Shubman Gill’s standing has reportedly risen due to his success with the Gujarat Titans. Before a poor T20 run before the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup changed plans, he was reportedly chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s first choice as the all-format captain. If Suryakumar is sacked, Gill is expected to have a shot at making his comeback in the opening position.
Tilak Varma is also reportedly a serious name being considered, despite inconsistent form for Mumbai Indians. Tilak has been made captain for a tri-nation A series where selectors would get to see his leadership skills.
Impact of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The BCCI wants a clear path for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of the 2028 Olympics. Any decision on captaincy might have to be taken considering how he’ll fit in the 11.
Sanju Samson is then expected to drop down to number three, and Ishan Kishan to four, if Gill makes his comeback in the opening position.