Suryakumar Yadav, the 35-year-old former World Cup-winning captain, has made a huge statement regarding his prospects of returning to the national side
after being dropped from recent squads. The Mumbai Indians batter was stripped of the captaincy and omitted from white-ball tours following India's T20 World Cup triumph in 2026, which he led to victory as skipper for a second consecutive title win.
Suryakumar addressed his situation directly, expressing his commitment to earning a recall through consistent performances. He stated that he remains focused on his domestic and franchise cricket responsibilities while keeping his eyes on a potential return to international cricket.
"Look, I'm putting in all the hard work and doing everything I can. If things go well, then everything will fall into place, Suryakumar was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.
Why Suryakumar lost his India spot
Suryakumar Yadav's struggles began during the T20 World Cup 2026, where he failed to make a significant impact with the bat. His only notable contribution came in India's opening match against the USA. Despite his limited returns, he went on to lead India to the T20 World Cup title.
The difficult phase continued into IPL 2026. His form had deteriorated significantly, and he endured a challenging campaign, scoring just 270 runs in 13 matches at an average of 20.76. He managed only two half-centuries throughout the tournament, further raising questions over his place in India's T20 setup.
The decision to drop Suryakumar also factored in the two-year cycle before the next global event, with selectors looking ahead to future planning. At 35 years of age, the BCCI has indicated that doors remain open for the batter if he can demonstrate consistent form in domestic cricket.
BCCI's stance on his future
A BCCI source stated that Suryakumar is not part of current plans but acknowledged his potential return. The doors are still open for Suryakumar Yadav. He is not part of the current plans, but if he consistently scores runs in domestic cricket, he will certainly be considered for selection, the source said.
Meanwhile, Suryakumar continues to play a key role for Mumbai Indiansin the IPL. He remains an important member of the franchise's batting lineup and is also serving as brand ambassador of the Pro Govinda League, maintaining his presence in professional cricket while working towards an international comeback.
