India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav's role in doubt

Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20 World Cup-winning captain, faces uncertainty over his leadership role following a prolonged slump in his batting form, particularly during the recent IPL season. While he achieved personal milestones for his franchise, Mumbai Indians, his overall performance has intensified discussions within the national selection committee about his future in the team.

Yadav led India to its third T20 World Cup title in March, but his batting returns have diminished over the past two years. In the IPL 2026 season, he scored 270 runs across 13 innings, averaging 20.76, with his aggregate falling sharply compared to previous campaigns. A report citing senior Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sources indicated that selectors are not convinced he merits a place purely as a batter, noting concerns over his technical adjustments and struggles against pace bowling.

The decision on his captaincy is reportedly influenced by head coach Gautam Gambhir, whose relationship with Yadav is described as warm. Sources suggest Gambhir's stance could be pivotal, as the selection panel is leaning toward moving on from Yadav but acknowledges the importance of the...