Suryakumar Yadav finally broke his silence on being sacked from India’s T20I captaincy, saying that he thought he would lead the team for another two years. India enjoyed a golden period under Suryakumar, never losing a bilateral series and also winning the Asia Cup.
The crowning moment happened this year when India became the first team to win a home T20 World Cup and win the title for an unprecedented third time. However, over the last one year, Suryakumar’s batting form dipped. In 2025, he scored 218 runs from 21 matches at an average of 13.62.
BCCI then decided to hand over the reigns to Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar was dropped from the team altogether ahead of the England tour. Speaking to Aakash Chopra, Suryakumar said that he smiled when his team wasn’t in the list as a way of coping with the setback.
“I smiled when my name was not there. Because when I played cricket with the team for a year or two, and whenever I am playing, so whenever I have been in situations like where there is pressure, where things are not going my way, I have always smiled. I have relaxed. And this is what I have seen: the moments in the past when I have had opportunities to do well. I have been grateful,” said Suryakumar during a chat with former India batter Aakash Chopra.
The former India captain also said that he was planning to lead the team into the next T20 World Cup and the LA Olympics. However, he admitted that he has no issues with the call.
“Obviously, the situation that has come now, even I had not thought that this would happen. After coming in 2026, I felt that, going forward, I would be taking this team forward for another two years. The Olympics will come. Then there will be another T20 World Cup, another challenge going forward.”
“But at the same time, what you think and what the other person thinks are two different things. It is important for them to respect their own thoughts. If they thought that going forward, this is a better call, they took that call. But I didn’t react. Because I felt that this was their call. They took that call in that moment. Going forward, if this team can do well under someone else, no problem,” said Suryakumar.
‘HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN?’
Despite accepting the decision, Suryakumar said he struggled to understand the BCCI’s move, particularly after leading India to T20 World Cup glory.
“I was thinking, how can this happen? How is it possible? We just won the World Cup. Yes, IPL was not as good as how I wanted. We were sitting at home. Friends came, family came. Everyone said that it’s okay. Part of life. But then, when they leave the house. We stay alone at home,” said Suryakumar.
Suryakumar said the selectors had spoken to him a few days before the squad announcement and informed him that it was time for a change. Rather than questioning the call or expressing his disappointment, he accepted their decision with composure.
“They called me 2-3 days before the team was announced. They called me, saying it’s time to move on. I didn’t react. Because it’s not my fault. That’s not how SKY has ever been. Whatever call someone took. He must have thought that this was better for the team. Going forward, this will be a good call. You took the call. You told me. There is no problem,” said SKY.
“I am ready. You can call me anytime. I am playing cricket anytime. I will continue to play. Whenever you feel the time is right. Things are right,” he added.
Suryakumar recently said that he is doing his best to remain fit and is hoping that an Indian team return is on the cards for him.
– Ends
