Suryakumar Yadav set to lead India for the upcoming T20Is against Sri Lanka

Suryakumar Yadav is named India’s new T20I skipper for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Yadav’s appointment came as a surprise to many as he appointment came ahead of Hardik Pandya, the incumbent vice captain of the team. 

Suryakumar Yadav will take over from Rohit, who recently retired from T20Is along with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, after leading India to World T20 League glory last month. 

Hardik was Rohit’s deputy at the showpiece event and has more experience as captain. He has captained India in three ODIs and 16 T20Is, besides leading Gujarat and Mumbai in the Indian T20 League. It is understood that fitness issues and workload management may have shifted the balance against him.

Hardik had picked an ankle injury during the 50-over World Series at home last October-November and was ruled out of the tournament.  He returned to lead Mumbai in the Indian T20 League 2024. Since the start of 2022 the all rounder has featured in only 46 of the 79 T20Is India have played. 

Meanwhile, Suryakumar, previously has led Mumbai in the domestic circuit. More recently, he guided India to a 4-1 series win against Australia in the T20I series last November, followed by a 1-1 series draw in South Africa. Suryakumar is also among the first choices in India’s XI in this format. 

The T20Is against Sri Lanka will be India’s first assignment under the newly appointed coach Gautam Gambhir, who takes over from Rahul Dravid after the conclusion of the World T20 League. It’s also seen as a foundation towards preparing for the next T20 World Series which India is set to co-host in 2026. 

Shubhman Gill led India’s young squad to a just concluded 4-1 T20I series win over Zimbabwe. The squad included only three players from the team that won the marquee event. 

It is understood that the selectors will have a meeting on Wednesday to finalise the touring party. Besides the three T20Is, the tour comprises three One Day fixtures.