Rohit Sharma precedent invoked by Kaif as Suryakumar Yadav set for T20I captaincy axe: 'I am not surprised'

Kaif said he was not surprised by reports of Suryakumar losing the T20I captaincy, suggesting the move follows the precedent set by Rohit Sharma's ODI sacking.

Updated on: Jun 5, 2026, 16:33:56 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Suryakumar Yadav is set to lose India's T20I captaincy despite leading the team to T20 World Cup glory, a development that has sparked considerable debate. For many, it comes as a surprise that a captain who guided India to a world title could be removed from the role so soon after lifting the trophy. However, concerns over his recent batting form appear to have played a major part in the selectors' thinking.

Rohit Sharma was sacked from ODI captaincy last year after leading India to Champions Trophy while Suryakumar Yadav is set to lose his T20I captaincy despite India's T20 World Cup win. (PTI)

While India emerged victorious at the T20 World Cup, Suryakumar's individual performances failed to match expectations. The 35-year-old scored 242 runs in eight matches, but a large chunk of that tally came in a single innings of 84 against the USA. Apart from that knock, he struggled to produce the kind of match-winning contributions that have defined his T20 career. As the tournament progressed, his form dipped noticeably, raising questions about his place in the side.

Those concerns only intensified during IPL 2026. Turning out for Mumbai Indians, Suryakumar endured a difficult season, scoring 270 runs in 13 matches at an average of 20.77. Although his strike rate remained a healthy 147.54, he was unable to deliver the consistency expected from one of India's premier T20 batters, putting his leadership position under increased scrutiny.

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif said he was not surprised by reports of Suryakumar losing the T20I captaincy, suggesting the move follows the precedent set by Rohit Sharma's removal from ODIs last year. While acknowledging it is a major decision, Kaif felt the selectors are signalling a broader leadership policy rather than making an exception.

"I am not surprised. I was only shocked when Rohit lost captaincy. After that, all this seems normal. It is a big call. But Rohit's call was a triple-bigger call than this. Because that has already happened, I feel they also want to balance it out now to show it was not only with Rohit, and this is our pattern in the future as well," he said on his YouTube channel.

“Suryakumar Yadav deserves to be in the team”

Backing Suryakumar amid criticism over his recent batting form, Kaif argued that a World Cup-winning captain deserves greater support from the selectors. The former India batter stressed that leadership success should not be overlooked because of a lean patch with the bat, insisting that a proven performer like Suryakumar should be given more time to rediscover his form.

"I feel that Surya won the trophy as captain, so he deserves to be in the team. Yes, he is not scoring runs. But we want the trophy to be with us and for the Indian team to keep doing well. If India is doing well but Surya is not scoring, I feel you are going too deep. He is doing well as a leader, so he should get more chances. He is a proven player. He is not scoring, yes, but his record has been brilliant. The winning captain deserves to be backed more," he stated.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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