SURYAKUMAR Yadav has been appointed captain of the Indian team for the T20 series in Sri Lanka. He pips Hardik Pandya, the vice-captain of the side that won the World Cup last month in the United States and the West Indies. Shubman Gill will be Surya’s deputy.
Though the appointment itself is for one series right now, it provides an indication as to who the selectors prefer as the full-time successor to Rohit Sharma in the format. The selection committee arrived at this significant decision after a series of meetings over the last couple of days.
Pandya was the deputy as well as one of the star performers as India ended an ICC trophy drought lasting more than a decade, and was considered the favourite to take over the leadership role, but The Indian Express had earlier reported that Surya found himself in the race to lead India at the 2026 T20 World Cup, which India will co-host with Sri Lanka.
The decision comes as a surprise because Pandya led the Indian T20 side post the 2022 World Cup in Australia, and was expected to do so in the Americas till he injured his ankle during 50-over World Cup in October 2023. Pandya made his comeback in March when he led Mumbai Indians in the IPL, but the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, had made up its mind to retain Sharma for another ICC tournament. Pandya was part of the victorious team and made key contributions with both bat and ball.
Those in the know say that Pandya’s dodgy fitness record was the main concern for the selection committee, and they felt that Surya was the better option going ahead despite him being 33 years of age. Initial discussions took place when the Indian team was in the West Indies, and when Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach from Rahul Dravid, he is also said to be of the same opinion.
Pandya had earlier informed the selectors that he won’t be part of the three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka due to personal reasons, which put more doubt in their minds. It is said that the feedback received by the board was that players trusted Surya more than Pandya and were more comfortable to work under him.
Intense discussion
However, there was an opinion that not naming the incumbent vice-captain of the T20 team as the new skipper would be unfair on him, especially as he performed quite creditably during the World Cup. Some said it was Sharma’s decision to have Pandya as his deputy even though the selection committee wasn’t then too keen on that. A panel member felt that Pandya The BCCI and selection committee acknowledge that Pandya is an important member of the Indian team and should be used
properly, but the situation changes when he is given a leadership role.
The argument made was that the selection committee under a new chairman didn’t have the opportunity to prepare the team for the next two years, and now it’s the right time to devise a roadmap for the next two T20 World Cup cycle.
Surya’s man management skills came to the fore when he led India in a T20 series in South Africa. He impressed in how he handled the players. When Ishan Kishen decided to go back home mid-series, Surya tried to convince him to stay back which got the attention of key members of the team. He talked clearly with the fringe
players and told them to be mentally ready to take advantage of the opportunities when they get them.
Surya’s communication style is a bit similar to that of Sharma and teammates are open to have discussions with him. He has impressed the selectors in the past one year over how he has conducted himself, and they now see him as a viable captaincy option in the T20 format despite him being in his mid-thirties.
Rohit, Virat to play ODIs
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were included in the ODI squad after they informed the BCCI that they will be available for the Sri Lanka tour. The senior players came to his decision after newly appointed coach Gautam Gambhir expressed his wish to start his stint with a full-fledged team. Pandya, though will be playing only the T20Is and won’t be part of the ODI squad. The selection committee also decided to rest pacer Jasprit Bumrah and included wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant for both the formats.
T20I squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohd. Siraj.
ODI squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana.