T20 World Cup 2026: Report Suggests It Could Be Suryakumar Yadav's Last as India Captain

Suryakumar Yadav's place as India's T20 captain might be nearing its end, with the 2026 T20 World Cup potentially being his last, according to sources. While his and vice-captain Shubman Gill's current form is a concern, major changes to the 15-member squad for the tournament, to be held next year, are unlikely when the selection committee meets on Saturday.

The BCCI retains the option to make alterations to the selected 15 players until the T20 World Cup commences on February 7. An example of this flexibility was seen during the Champions Trophy earlier this year when Varun Chakravarthy replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal, a decision influenced by the slow pitches in Dubai.

Although not officially stated, the T20 World Cup in India could mark the end of Suryakumar's tenure as T20 captain. At 35 years old and experiencing a slump in form over the past year, his captaincy is the primary reason he retains his position after struggling for almost 14 months and 24 games.

The selection committee will also choose the T20 team for the New Zealand series, which is expected to mirror the World Cup squad. Currently, few spots are open, although Gill's position has been questioned, with Yashasvi Jaiswal performing well and waiting for an opportunity.

It remains to be seen whether selectors will include Jaiswal as an additional player for the New Zealand series to assess him, in case he's needed during the World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Sanju Samson currently holds the reserve opener position, a spot he lost due to a decision by the selection committee and a team think-tank member.

If the T20 World Cup were further away, the selection committee might have considered alternative leadership options. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. the proximity of the tournament and Gill's poor form have benefited Suryakumar, especially considering Gill was seen as a potential all-format captain after taking over Test and ODI captaincy.

With only five matches remaining before the World Cup opener against the USA in Mumbai on February 7, the selection panel is unlikely to disrupt the established continuity. While the 15 players selected for the South Africa series are likely to feature against New Zealand and in the T20 World Cup, Jaiswal's name is expected to be discussed, given his versatility compared to Gill and Samson.

That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. with Samson as the second wicket-keeper (behind Jitesh Sharma) and Gill's promotion to vice-captain, it will be difficult for Jaiswal to secure a place in the 15, as he doesn't fit a specific role. Washington Sundar, despite playing 57 T20Is, is another potential weak link, as he hasn't displayed significant impact. He is primarily considered a bowling all-rounder in this format.

While the team appears strong on paper, boasting 14 IPL stars (excluding Washington), the poor form of two of the top three batsmen is a concern.

• Likely India Squad:**
• Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (wk), Washington Sundar