Former T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav expresses support for new skipper Shreyas Iyer after being replaced, wishing the Indian team success in upcoming challenges.
NEW DELHI – Suryakumar Yadav, the former captain of India’s T20 World Cup-winning team, has publicly addressed his replacement as the men’s T20I captain. He extended his best wishes to the national team and expressed his support for the newly appointed skipper, Shreyas Iyer.
Hours after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced Iyer as the new T20I captain and omitted Suryakumar from the squads for the upcoming tours of Ireland, England, and the Asian Games, the 35-year-old took to social media to share his thoughts.
In an Instagram story, Suryakumar posted a photograph of the Indian team, captioning it, “Wishing this highly skilled group all the best for the challenges ahead.”
His message followed comments from India’s chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, who described the decision to replace Suryakumar as captain as a challenging one. Agarkar acknowledged the difficulty of making such a change after Suryakumar had successfully led the team to a World Cup victory.
“With regards to Surya, obviously, it’s a tough one, having just won the World Cup. Someone who’s led you to the World Cup, it’s not the easiest thing to try and change,” Agarkar stated.
Later that day, Suryakumar encountered Shreyas Iyer during a T20 Mumbai League match. Suryakumar was leading the Triumph Knights MNE, while Iyer played for the SoBo Mumbai Falcons as an Impact Substitute. The two Mumbai teammates shared a warm hug before the match, highlighting their enduring friendship as players for both Mumbai and India.
During the toss, Suryakumar welcomed Iyer’s appointment, calling it a proud moment for Mumbai cricket. “As you said, so many things are happening, but obviously very, very, very happy for Shreyas as he’s getting to lead the T20 Indian team. We played a lot of cricket together in Bombay. The most important thing, what I felt, is that three back-to-back Mumbai captains are going to lead T20s for India. I think it’s a very proud moment, and everyone needs to celebrate that,” he remarked.
In addition to his support for Iyer, Suryakumar congratulated 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on his maiden international call-up following an impressive IPL 2026 season. He expressed his excitement for Sooryavanshi’s journey, stating on social media, “You have earned it and how. Super excited to follow your journey.”
As the Indian team prepares for its upcoming challenges, Suryakumar’s positive outlook and support for his teammates reflect the camaraderie and spirit within the squad.
According to IANS, Suryakumar’s response underscores his commitment to the team and the sport, even as he transitions from a leadership role.