India Told To Not Sack Suryakumar Yadav: 'No Ready-Made Captaincy Solution'

Last Updated:May 26, 2026, 11:23 IST

Suryakumar Yadav's form in T20s has become a major concern with reports claiming he could lose India captaincy.

Should India continue with Suryakumar Yadav as T20I captain despite his dip in batting form? Several reports suggest the Indian team management is at least considering his future, months after he became only the third Indian captain to win a T20 World Cup title.

Suryakumar’s struggles in IPL 2026 have not helped his case. However, former India wicketkeeper-batter MSK Prasad believes the two-time World Cup winner should remain part of the setup, not just for his batting ability but also to ensure “leadership continuity".

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Prasad, a former chairman of selectors, said India currently do not have a ready-made successor to replace Suryakumar.

“One of the biggest reasons to retain Suryakumar is leadership continuity," Prasad wrote in a column for Cricbuzz. “At present, India do not have a ready-made long-term T20 captaincy solution waiting in the wings. Changing captains frequently can disturb the direction and culture of the side. India needs stability, clarity, and a transition plan rather than sudden reactions based on temporary form."

While backing Suryakumar to continue as captain, Prasad also urged India to begin grooming the next generation of leaders by rotating vice-captains across series.

“Personally, I feel the selectors and team management should now start grooming the next generation of T20 leaders under Suryakumar’s guidance," Prasad wrote. “Players like Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan can be developed as future T20 captains for India. Over the next six months, these players can be made deputy leaders to Suryakumar Yadav in different series and conditions. This would allow India to gradually build leadership depth without creating unnecessary pressure or instability."

While Suryakumar’s leadership credentials remain unquestioned, his batting numbers continue to raise concerns. At the T20 World Cup, he scored 242 runs in nine innings, with 84 of those runs coming in India’s opening match against the USA.

His IPL 2026 campaign mirrored Mumbai Indians’ struggles, as he managed 270 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 147.54 while the franchise failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Suryakumar’s captaincy record, though, remains impressive. Among Indian captains who have led in at least 50 T20Is, Suryakumar’s win percentage of 76.92 is second only to Rohit Sharma’s 79.03.

“India should avoid making emotional decisions based on short-term form," Prasad wrote. “Instead, the focus should be on building continuity, grooming future captains under his leadership, and creating a strong long-term T20 structure."

“Form may fluctuate, but players with Suryakumar’s skillset, leadership qualities, and match-winning ability are extremely rare. Retaining him while simultaneously grooming the next generation of captains could be the smartest move for the future of Indian T20 cricket," he added.

News cricket India Told To Not Sack Suryakumar Yadav: 'No Ready-Made Captaincy Solution'

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