Suryakumar Yadav breaks silence on India snub after T20 World Cup triumph

Suryakumar Yadav has finally opened up about his omission from India’s T20I squad shortly after leading the team to the T20 World Cup title, admitting that he was initially calm about the decision but later struggled to understand the selectors’ call.

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee opted to move on from Suryakumar and appointed Shreyas Iyer as captain for the upcoming series against Ireland and England. Suryakumar’s inconsistent batting form over the previous two years was widely seen as a key factor behind the decision.

In 2025, Suryakumar did not score a single fifty for India, while his only major contribution during the T20 World Cup came against the USA at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. His captaincy, however, remained highly successful. India did not lose a series under him and went on to lift the T20 World Cup on home soil.

Speaking to former India batter Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel, Suryakumar said he smiled when he saw his name missing from the squad because he understood that selectors had to make decisions based on what they believed was best for the team.

He said he had expected to continue leading India after the World Cup, with the Olympics and another T20 World Cup on the horizon. However, he acknowledged that his expectations and the selectors’ plans could be different.

Suryakumar said he had no issue with Shreyas Iyer taking over as captain, describing him as a good player, person and leader. However, he admitted that he was disappointed because India had not lost a series under his captaincy and had won both the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup.

“I was a little disappointed. Because you have not lost a single series in two years. You have won the World Cup and the Asia Cup. Then you want the same thing to go forward,” Suryakumar said.

He revealed that he spent around a month and a half at home trying to process the decision and repeatedly wondered why a change had been made after such a successful run.

Selectors informed SKY before announcement

Suryakumar also revealed that the selection committee contacted him two to three days before the squad announcement and told him that it was time to move on.

He said he did not react angrily because he respected the selectors’ decision and believed they had made what they considered the best choice for the team.

“I didn’t react. Because it’s not my fault. That’s not how SKY has ever been,” he said.

Despite being dropped, Suryakumar insisted that he remains ready to return whenever the selectors believe the time is right.

“I am ready. You can call me anytime. I am playing cricket anytime. I will continue to play,” he said.