Shreyas Iyer To Become Next India T20I Captain Replacing Suryakumar Yadav | Reports

Reports suggest the BCCI is considering a leadership transition in India’s T20I setup, with Shreyas Iyer emerging as the leading candidate to replace Suryakumar Yadav.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is reportedly preparing for a major leadership change in the national T20I side, with Shreyas Iyer being considered as a possible replacement for current skipper Suryakumar Yadav.

According to reports, the Indian selectors and top board officials are not entirely convinced with Suryakumar’s batting performances over the past two years. While the Mumbai batter continues to enjoy success as captain, concerns surrounding his consistency with the bat have reportedly triggered discussions regarding a long-term transition in leadership.

As per reports from The Times of India, the BCCI is likely to approach the captaincy change gradually instead of making an immediate switch.

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Suryakumar Yadav’s Captaincy Success Overshadowed By Poor Batting Form

Despite the growing scrutiny around his batting numbers, Suryakumar has enjoyed an outstanding run as India’s T20I captain. Since becoming the full-time skipper in 2025, he guided India to major success in white-ball cricket.

Under his captaincy, India lifted the Asia Cup before winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at home. The triumph made India the first side to win the tournament on home soil, while Suryakumar also became only the third Indian captain after MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma to win the prestigious T20 World Cup trophy.

However, his personal batting numbers have sharply declined during the same period. Once regarded as the No.1 T20I batter in the world, Suryakumar’s performances dipped significantly from 2024 onward.

He scored 429 runs in 2024 at an average of 26.81 before enduring a disastrous 2025 campaign, where he managed only 218 runs in 21 matches at an average of 13.62. His strike rate also dropped to 123.16, raising further concerns about his form.

Shreyas Iyer’s IPL Leadership Strengthens His Case

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer has continued to build a strong reputation both as a batter and captain in franchise cricket. His performances for Punjab Kings in IPL 2026 have reportedly impressed selectors, especially his ability to control the middle order under pressure.

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Iyer’s captaincy credentials in the IPL also remain highly impressive. He has led three different franchises — Delhi Capitals in 2021, Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, and Punjab Kings in 2025 — to IPL finals, winning the title once with KKR in 2024.

India’s packed white-ball schedule after IPL 2026 could also influence the timing of the decision. The Men in Blue are set to host Afghanistan national cricket team before touring England and Ireland for T20Is, followed by further white-ball assignments against the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe later in the year.