Suryakumar Yadav denies false viral quote, backs Team India

Former India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has publicly dismissed a fabricated statement circulating on social media that falsely portrayed him as bitter over his recent omission from the national squad. In a social media post on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, Yadav reaffirmed his unwavering support for the team and extended encouragement to teenage debutant Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Yadav, who led India to victory in the 2026 T20 World Cup, was removed as captain and dropped from the T20I squad in June 2026 following a prolonged dip in batting form. Shreyas Iyer was appointed as the new captain for tours to Ireland and England. Yadav’s absence has sparked considerable debate, especially as the team has struggled in recent matches under the new leadership of Iyer and head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Addressing the speculation directly, Yadav wrote that he is very happy for the team and wishes them nothing but the best. He added that he knows the players are giving their all and will always have his full support. He specifically praised 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who recently made his T20I debut against England at Old Trafford, becoming the youngest cricketer to represent India. Yadav told...