Suryakumar Yadav has been named the new captain of India’s T20I team, leading the squad into the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka, starting on July 27. The 33-year-old, a key member of India’s triumphant T20 World Cup team, assumes the role after Rohit Sharma’s recent retirement from the shortest format following the final victory against South Africa.
The selection of Suryakumar as captain comes after he led India to a 4-1 series win against Australia last November and followed it up with a 1-1 draw against South Africa. Notably, he was chosen over Hardik Pandya, who served as vice-captain during India’s title run in the West Indies and USA.
Beyond his international experience, Suryakumar has also captained Mumbai in domestic cricket and even led the Mumbai Indians in a single IPL game, showcasing his leadership potential.
This Sri Lanka series also marks the debut for newly appointed Indian coach Gautam Gambhir, who succeeds Rahul Dravid. As the team focuses on building towards the 2026 T20 World Cup, which India will co-host, this series provides valuable preparation and a chance for the new leadership to establish its vision and strategies.
