Everyone was surprised when the Board of Control for Cricket in India chose Suryakumar Yadav as the captain for the T20 matches against Sri Lanka, instead of picking top-order batter Hardik Pandya. Hardik, a star all-rounder, had been the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team that won the T20 World Cup. He seemed ready to become the captain in this format after Rohit Sharma ended his T20I career, but the management decided on Surya instead. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that Hardik’s frequent injuries and the need to manage his workload were the reasons they looked for another captain.
Agarkar also mentioned that Suryakumar’s skills as a captain and the positive feedback from other players were important factors in his appointment as the T20I captain.
Among many rumors about the new T20I captain’s selection, former Indian cricketer Pragyan Ojha mentioned a past connection between Suryakumar and the recently appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, who both played for Kolkata Knight Riders.
Ojha said, “I believe the selectors must have considered this, but since the T20 World Cup is in 2026, they wanted someone with maturity and experience. Suryakumar Yadav is the best choice for this. If it had been Hardik, who we thought might get the role since he was the vice-captain in the World Cup, there were some fitness issues he had to deal with. Considering all factors, I think Surya is a great pick,” Ojha shared with OneIndia.
“He’s a clever guy who knows how to handle himself on the streets. He has a strong friendship with Gautam Gambhir. They’ve played cricket together, and if you recall, when Gauti bhai was in charge of KKR, Surya was the assistant captain. So, they already have a good understanding and trust between them. Hardik was considered, but they worried about his fitness. Therefore, the next best choice was Suryakumar Yadav,” he continued.
