Former India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has shared his experience following his removal as skipper and his subsequent exclusion from the national squad in 2025. The 35-year-old, who previously led the team to Asia Cup success and a historic third T20 World Cup title on home soil, admitted that the transition was unexpected.
Reflecting on the period immediately following his omission, Suryakumar revealed he spent nearly two months at home, initially struggling to process the decision. “I sat at home for 40-50 days. I was doing nothing, and I was completely shocked. I was thinking, what should I do now? Do I want to play or not?” he shared during a conversation with former cricketer Aakash Chopra.
The change in leadership came after a challenging 2025 season where Suryakumar’s batting form declined, resulting in 218 runs across 21 matches at an average of 13.62. The BCCI eventually appointed Shreyas Iyer as the new captain, leaving Suryakumar out of the squad for the England tour.
Suryakumar credited his wife for helping him regain his competitive drive. “One day, suddenly my wife said, ‘Just think about why you started playing this game 20 years ago? Because you were mad for this game. Then bring that passion back again,'” he recalled. He noted that he had initially envisioned leading the team for two more years, with sights set on the next T20 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Despite his disappointment, the batter maintained a professional stance regarding the selectors’ decision. He confirmed that officials notified him of the change two or three days before the official announcement. “They called me, saying it’s time to move on. I didn’t react. Because it’s not my fault… If this team can do well under someone else, no problem,” he stated, adding that he remains ready to return to the field whenever called upon. The report also notes that guiding the team to Asia Cup glory and helping them remain unbeaten in bilateral T20I series, suryakumar had enjoyed a highly successful stint as India’s T20I captain. The report also notes that “I smiled when my name was not there. The report also notes that “Obviously, the situation that has come now, even I had not thought that this would happen. The report also notes that after coming in 2026, I felt that, going forward, I would be taking this team forward for another two years. The report also notes that “But at the same time, what you think and what the other person thinks are two different things. The report also notes that it is important for them to respect their own thoughts.
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