Middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav revealed that four people appointed him as India’s T20I captain. Suryakumar said that former BCCI secretary Jay Shah, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, former head coach Rahul Dravid and outgoing captain Rohit Sharma took important decisions after the 2024 World Cup.
Under the captaincy of Rohit, the Men in Blue won the T20 World Cup 2024. However, after the summit clash Rohit announced his retirement from the format. It was expected that then-vice-captain Hardik Pandya would become the T20I captain, but Suryakumar was appointed as the full-time captain.
Jai Shah called me and told me that… – Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav recalled that Jay Shah had called him just before the bilateral series against Sri Lanka. He said that the former BCCI Secretary gave the news of his captaincy appointment.
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Suryakumar told the Press Trust of India (PTI), “So we waited for a few days before the series and then there came a time when Jay Bhai, the BCCI secretary at that time, called me three or four days before the Sri Lanka series. I think we were going to Sri Lanka.”
He said, “They called me and told me that they are making me the captain of the T20 team going forward. Yes, they called me first. But I was sure that all this was being planned by Rohit bhai and Ajit bhai at that time. Gautam bhai came later. He, along with Rahul sir – Rahul Dravid, who was the coach at that time – had discussed it with Jai bhai. Then they decided that I should lead India going forward.”
Jay Shah is very straightforward and treats each player differently – Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav said that Jay Shah is straightforward and treats every player on the basis of his personality. He revealed that Shah has monitored his career since his Ranji Trophy debut and has always supported him, adding that their interactions have been positive, constructive and encouraging.
“He is very straightforward and treats each player differently as per their personality. He never uses a one-size-fits-all approach. Whenever he meets me, or even when I am standing in a group, he tells people that he has been following me since 2010-2011, when I made my Ranji Trophy debut.”
Suryakumar said, “He was very supportive even when I made my debut for India. I even messaged him to thank him for giving me the opportunity. Since then, every interaction with him has been very positive – all constructive and encouraging.”
Success under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav in T20I
This decision got results for the Indian national cricket team. Suryakumar Yadav has achieved 42 wins in 52 matches as captain, with an extraordinary win percentage of over 80. During his tenure the team remained undefeated in all bilateral T20I series.
India defend their T20 World Cup title on home soil in 2026. Surya has played 113 T20 matches and scored 3,272 runs at an average of 36.85 and strike rate of 162.94, which included 25 fifties and four centuries.
After the historic T20 World Cup win, Suryakumar is preparing for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. He will represent Mumbai Indians with the aim of repeating his phenomenal performance from the last campaign.
During the 2025 season, he scored 717 runs in 16 innings at an impressive average of 65.18 and a strike rate of 167.91. The team lost to Punjab Kings in the eliminator.
