Intro
Former spinner says captain’s axing raises questions over future selection policies.
New Delhi
Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned the decision to drop Suryakumar Yadav from India’s T20I setup, arguing that the move could set a significant precedent for future selection decisions despite the batter leading the country to a T20 World Cup title just two months ago.
Suryakumar’s removal has emerged as one of the biggest talking points in Indian cricket following a modest World Cup campaign in which he scored 242 runs at a strike rate of 136.72. His struggles continued in the IPL season, where he managed 270 runs at a strike rate of 147.54.
Ashwin said he could understand the disappointment the outgoing captain might be experiencing.
Ashwin noted that while Suryakumar’s batting form had dipped over the past year, his contribution as captain could not be overlooked. He pointed out that the Mumbai batter had played a key role in guiding India to World Cup glory and deserved recognition for his leadership achievements, just as other standout performers in the squad were acknowledged for their contributions.
The veteran spinner said the decision marked a “landmark day” in Indian cricket selection, suggesting it could influence how future selectors deal with captains and senior players. He questioned whether there had been previous instances of a World Cup-winning T20 captain being left out of the side so soon after lifting the trophy.
The selectors have appointed Shreyas Iyer as India’s new T20I captain, despite his absence from the national T20 setup for more than two years. Iyer’s leadership credentials have been strengthened by successful stints in franchise cricket, including an IPL title-winning campaign with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024 and a runners-up finish with Punjab Kings in 2025.
While backing Iyer’s captaincy abilities, Ashwin said the promotion of a player from outside the World Cup-winning squad could spark debate among existing team members. He also highlighted vice-captain Axar Patel as a potential leadership option, saying the development raises broader questions about succession planning within the national team.