Top Indian batter likely to be named T20I captain until 2026 T20 World Cup

Suryakumar Yadav is set to take over the T20I captaincy until the 2026 T20 World Cup, as reported by Indian media on Tuesday. 

This decision marks a strategic shift as the team looks to build stability and a long-term leadership plan.

Hardik Pandya, who served as India's vice-captain during the 2024 T20 World Cup under Rohit Sharma, remains available for the upcoming T20 matches against Sri Lanka this month. 

However, 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.

Gambhir and Agarkar reportedly discussed this leadership change with Pandya earlier today, explaining the long-term strategy behind the decision. 

The vacancy in T20I leadership arose after Rohit Sharma retired from international cricket in the shortest format following India's World Cup victory last month in the West Indies.

Pandya will take a break during the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka for 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 said.

“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 added. 

The 33-year-old Suryakumar Yadav is one of the most popular players in the Indian dressing room, and his elevation to captaincy is expected to be well-received.

Earlier reports indicated that Gambhir wants Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rohit Sharma to feature in the upcoming ODI series. There had been speculation that Kohli, Rohit, Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja would not participate in Sri Lanka’s ODI series to continue their break from cricket after winning the T20 World Cup 2024. However, Gambhir’s request could cut short their vacation.

The reason Gambhir wants the three senior players to feature in the Sri Lanka series is to ensure their readiness for future challenges. After the matches, India will have a six-week break before facing Bangladesh in a home Test series in Chennai on September 19.