Not Hardik Pandya; India To Appoint Suryakumar Yadav As T20I Captain Till 2026 World Cup: Reports

SKY might lead India in T20Is [X]

According to emerging reports, India might appoint swashbuckling batter Suryakumar Yadav as their captain in T20 Internationals. 

Notably, India don't have a skipper in the shortest format after Rohit Sharma's retirement following the team's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign. 

As reported by the Press Trust of India, Surya is all set to pip ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya and succeed Rohit. 

---

ALSO READ

Hardik Pandya vs Shubman Gill: Who Wins The Battle Of India's Next T20I Captain?

---

SKY to pip Pandya in T20I captaincy race

The report claims that despite having Pandya, India might name Suryakumar Yadav as the captain for the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka. 

Although Pandya was Rohit Sharma's deputy in the T20 World Cup, India's newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar want Surya as the new skipper. 

Notably, India incurred a series defeat against West Indies in an away series under Pandya's leadership, while Surya was impressive as the skipper in the Australia and South Africa T20Is. 

As mentioned in the report, Gambhir and Agarkar have spoken to Pandya regarding the matter, with India likely to announce Surya as the captain till the 2026 T20 World Cup. 

Surya continues to be India's most valuable batting asset in T20Is, while Pandya's battle with injuries might have played a part in the Men in Blue ignoring him for long-term captaincy. The ace all-rounder might also pull out of the Sri Lanka ODIs due to personal reasons. 

(Inputs from PTI)

---

ALSO READ

Pandya Out, Kohli, Rohit Back; Will Pant, Iyer Play? India's Probable Squad For SL ODIs

---