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Who will be India's next T20 captain after Suryakumar Yadav? Three possible replacements emerge

With Suryakumar Yadav reportedly sacked as Team India's T20I captain, here are the possible successors for the Indian batter to become the new skipper of the Men in Blue in the shortest format.

Suryakumar Yadav faces imminent ouster as India T20I captain, team spot also under threat. Image: AFP

FirstCricket Staff|Jun 04, 2026, 05:00:19 IST

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly sacked Suryakumar Yadav as India's T20I captain just weeks before the team kicks off a new T20 cycle. The decision comes after Team India's historic T20 World Cup triumph at home under his leadership.

Suryakumar struggled with form in the limited-overs format during the Indian Premier League, raising questions about whether the board would continue with the current set-up or introduce key changes ahead of the upcoming away T20 tours.

SKY no longer India's T20I captain: Report

According to sources, the BCCI is expected to hold an Apex Committee meeting on Thursday to announce the new T20I skipper.

Reports have indicated that SKY may not be considered for squad selection either, and the decision will be conveyed to him soon.

The decision to appoint a new skipper was made by the selection committee and senior BCCI officials, in consultation with head coach Gautam Gambhir, according to major newspapers and news agency ANI.

Possible replacements for SKY as India's new T20I captain

With Suryakumar set to be removed as India's T20I captain and lose his spot in the team set-up, certain replacements have emerged as his successor. Let's take a look at the names who are in the race to become India's next T20I captain.

Shreyas Iyer

Iyer last featured for India in T20Is back in December 2023 against Australia in Bengaluru. He has been a mainstay in the ODI team and has shown immense promise in the Indian Premier League lately.

Shreyas Iyer is the frontrunner to become India's next T20 captain. Image: AP

The Indian batter has won an IPL title with the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024 and led the Punjab Kings to the final in 2025. His leadership skills have also been impressive, making him the ideal pick as India's T20I captain.

Tilak Varma

The Indian batter's name might be the most unexpected on the list of potential leaders. He has shown composure as the India-A captain and can also deliver impactful knocks.

The selectors may be tempted to lean on him and provide the opportunity to become the new Indian T20I captain.

Ishan Kishan

The wicketkeeper-batter emerges as another brilliant choice as Team India's leader in T20 cricket. Kishan delivered spectacular performances in domestic cricket, especially in SMAT, where he led Jharkhand towards a title-winning campaign.

Ishan Kishan proved to be an able leader as stand-in skipper for Sunrisers Hyderabad in first half of IPL 2026. Image: AP

Kishan also delivered a fine spell as SRH's stand-in captain in the recently concluded IPL 2026, adding to his captaincy credentials.

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