Suryakumar Yadav Frontrunner To Become India’s T20I Captain Instead Of Hardik Pandya Until 2026 T20 World Cup: Report

New Delhi: Suryakumar Yadav is likely to be handed over of the T20I captaincy until the 2026 T20 World Cup instead of Hardik Pandya, according to reports. Pandya was India vice-captain in the T20 World Cup 2024 under Rohit Sharma and his elevation was a natural progression up until now. The India all-rounder himself available for the shortest format games against Sri Lanka this month but it has emerged that Suryakumar, who captained India in eight T20Is against Australia and South Africa last year, is the preferred choice of new head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.

It is learnt that both Gambhir and Agarkar spoke to Pandya about this change of plan earlier this evening and explained to him that a long-term option was being finalised to ensure stability. The T20I leadership role fell vacant after Rohit Sharma bid adieu to his international career in the shortest format following India’s World Cup triumph last month in the West Indies.

Pandya, one of the heroes of that victory, will take a break during the three-match ODI series against the island nation due to “personal reasons”. The T20Is against Sri Lanka will run from July 27 to 30 in Pallekele, followed by the ODIs from August 2 to 7 in Colombo. The squad for the series is expected to be announced in the next couple of days.

“Hardik Pandya was India’s T2O vice-captain under Rohit Sharma. He is completely fit and available for the three-match T20I series and was supposed to lead the side but there is a very strong feeling that SKY would be the potential leader not only for the Sri Lanka series but till the 2026 World Cup,” a senior BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

“Hardik’s break from ODIs is for very personal reasons. He doesn’t have any fitness issue as is being suggested in the media,” the official said. The 33-year-old Suryakumar is believed to be one of the most popular players in the Indian dressing room.

It was under Gambhir’s captaincy at the Kolkata Knight Riders that he made a name for himself as a T20 player and got nicknamed ‘SKY’ by the then skipper. Hardik was seen as an obvious successor to Rohit but multiple factors have come into play.

His performance as Mumbai Indians skipper was underwhelming and the selectors are in no mood to let him pick and choose his assignments. The selectors won’t mind seeing him play Vijay Hazare Trophy this season to get some 50-over practice.

About the ODIs, the official confirmed that Pandya has asked for leave and has already communicated this to Rohit, who is also taking a break from this series. For the ODIs, KL Rahul, who led in the last series in South Africa, and Gill are in contention for the leadership role.