Why ICT Fans Want Suryakumar Yadav To Remain India's T20I Captain

Is there a major shift coming in India’s leadership in the T20I format? Yes, according to reports that emerged on Friday. Suryakumar Yadav, the current T20I captain of the Indian men’s cricket team, is said to be removed from his position, citing his struggles with the bat. It has been reported that the Ajit Agarkar-led panel will meet after the conclusion of IPL 2026. The major change will happen ahead of India’s tour of Ireland, where the nations will lock horns for two T20I matches scheduled for 26 June and 28 June. India will then travel to England for a five-match T20I series on their home turf rostered from July 1 to July 11.

Who will replace Surya, you ask? Shreyas Iyer. Iyer, who made his last T20I appearance on December 3, 2023, vs Australia

in Bengaluru, is not only set to return to the squad after a lengthy period but also said to don the skipper’s hat soon.

Another source claimed that Hardik Pandya’s name was also on the table. The news of Iyer taking the top spot was welcomed by Indian cricket fans with open arms. However, a section of fans wondered if removing Surya would be the right step for Indian cricket, keeping 2026’s glory in mind.

“Let Suryakumar Yadav Remain As T20I Captain”

The immediate response to Surya’s extraction was that of scepticism. The 35-year-old captained India to their third T20I triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 that concluded in March this year. India asserted dominance throughout the marquee tournament, saving their best performance for the last encounter against New Zealand, where they hammered their highest-ever total in a T20 World Cup final, winning the contest with a thumping 96-run victory over the Kiwis.

Also Read: Jitesh Sharma’s Interview Aged Like Milk In IPL 2026: ‘I Pray For Top Order Collapse’

While Surya did not shine with the bat, 84 against the USA being the only highlight in his 242-run tally across 9 matches, cricket fans felt it would be unfair to dethrone him in the same year he helped the nation defend their coveted T20I title. Surya also led the pack that emerged as Asia Cup 2025 winners, with India beating Pakistan in the finals by 5 wickets.

“Surya Kumar Yadav deserves to lead India in T20Is for at least one or two series. If he doesn’t perform, then Shreyas Iyer can replace him as captain,” voiced X user @LoyalSachinFan.

“Surya hasn’t been in form lately, but his captaincy was pure class. Unbeaten in bilateral series, led India to Asia Cup glory & the T20 WC triumph. In an era of constant chopping & changing, BCCI should back him for another year at least,” opined @Shashank97says.

Many others hoped that the reports about India’s T20I captaincy shuffle would turn out to be nothing more than rumours.

“Shreyas Iyer Deserves It…”

A resounding number of cricket watchers felt it was time for Iyer to not only get back into the squad but also lead the side. Named “Rolls Royce” by PBKS coach Ricky Ponting in IPL 2025, Iyer did not feature in the T20I World Cup 2024 or T20I World Cup 2026 winning squads. Despite being a hot property in IPL, taking Kolkata Knight Riders to glory in IPL 2024, then powering Punjab to the finals of IPL 2025 and even ending that season as their leading run-scorer with 604 runs, Iyer hasn’t been able to crack a spot in the Indian squad. Recurring injuries also made him unavailable during the time of selection.

Shreyas Iyer will be the new T-20 captain. Very well deserving pic.twitter.com/PBOaS2AT8l

— Sunil The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) May 8, 2026

Also Read: Ignored By Selectors? Why IPL Fans Want Shreyas Iyer To Lead India In T20I

Speaking purely of numbers, Iyer has accumulated 1104 runs in 51 T20I matches at 30.66 average and a strike rate of 136.12. As for Surya, the T20I World Cup-winning skipper has an established career with 3272 runs to his name in 113 matches while averaging 36.35 and striking at an impressive 162.94.