Shatterday for one, joy for another! BCCI set to announce captaincy change

Suryakumar Yadav and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Pics/BCCI

Less than three months ago, Suryakumar Yadav led India to the T20 World Cup title, beating New Zealand in the final at Ahmedabad in March. However, on Saturday, when chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his selection committee meet to pick India's T20 squad for the upcoming Ireland and England tours followed by the Asian Games, Suryakumar is all set to not just lose his captaincy but also his place in the squad.

It is learnt that Shreyas Iyer, who led three different franchises (Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings) to IPL finals, winning the trophy once, will take over as India T20I captain from his Mumbai Ranji teammate.

Former national chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar reckoned that a captain should be an automatic choice in the playing XI. "It's up to the selectors, but a captain should be an automatic choice in the playing XI. First you [selectors] pick the team or XI players and then you select the best from them as a captain," Vengsarkar told mid-day on Friday, when asked about the possibility of Suryakumar being replaced as captain.

Dilip Vengarkar and MSK Prasad

Another former chief selector MSK Prasad felt that the senior India players should be given a rest for the upcoming series, so there will automatically be a change of guard. "The senior players should be given a break. The World Cup stars didn't do well at the IPL because the schedule leading into it was hectic. So, players like Surya, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Shivam Dube… all looked tired. A physical and mental break will help them rediscover their form. So, for the next six months, you can always keep trying new players," Prasad told mid-day from his hometown in Guntur in Andhra Pradesh.

Meanwhile, teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's selection seems to be a no-brainer, felt both Vengsarkar and Prasad. "Vaibhav should be picked in India's T20 team. He performed very well at the IPL [top scorer with 776 runs] and since this is the same white-ball format, I feel the selectors will pick Vaibhav. Vaibhav and Abhuishek [Sharma} can open while Sanju can bat at No. 3," added Vengsarkar.

MSK also felt Vaibhav will be picked in the squad. "I think Vaibhav should find a place in the 15-member squad and slowly be drafted into the playing XI as that depends on situations, conditions and combinations," MSK Prasad told mid-day over the phone from his hometown Guntur. India playing two T20Is against Ireland and five T20Is against England.

Skyline looks grey

Suryakumar Yadav's recent performances

Asia Cup 2025 (Sep): Inngs: 6
Runs: 72
Average: 18.00
Away series vs Aus (Nov):
Innings: 4
Runs: 84
Average: 28.00

Home series vs SA (Dec): Innings: 4
Runs: 34
Average: 8.50

Home series vs NZ (Jan 2026):
Innings: 5
Runs: 242
Average: 80.67

ICC T20 World Cup 2026 (Mar):
Innings: 9
Runs: 242
Average: 30.25

IPL 2026
Innings: 13
Runs: 270
Average: 20.77