India to drop T20 World Cup captain Suryakumar Yadav

India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain, Suryakumar Yadav, is reportedly set to be removed from his leadership role and may also lose his place in the national squad ahead of upcoming tours to Ireland and England. The decision, according to sources within the national cricket board, stems from a prolonged dip in his batting form and a desire to build for future tournaments.

Suryakumar Yadav, 35, led India to victory in the T20 World Cup earlier this year, maintaining an unbeaten record in series and tournaments under his captaincy. However, his individual performances have declined significantly over the past 18 months. His struggles were particularly evident during the recent IPL season, where he scored 270 runs in 13 innings for the Mumbai Indians, averaging just over 20. Officials indicated that selectors had waited until the conclusion of the IPL to assess his form before making a final determination.

With India entering a new cycle focused on the 2028 T20 World Cup and Olympics, the selection committee and team management, in consultation with head coach Gautam Gambhir, are said to be prioritizing a long-term leadership solution. Suryakumar was not included in the preliminary...