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India are set for a major leadership change in T20I cricket, with Shreyas Iyer emerging as the frontrunner to replace Suryakumar Yadav as captain.
According to reports, India’s selectors and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are considering a fresh direction in the shortest format despite Suryakumar guiding the team to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 title earlier this year.
The proposed change comes as India begin planning for the T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2028, while also preparing for cricket’s return to the Olympics at the Los Angeles Games the same year.
Suryakumar’s position came under scrutiny following a mixed run of form. Although India lifted the T20 World Cup trophy under his leadership, the experienced batter scored 242 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 136.72 during the tournament.
His struggles continued in IPL 2026, where he managed 270 runs from 13 innings at an average of 20.76 and a strike rate of 147.54.
Reports suggest the 35-year-old could even be left out of India’s upcoming T20I squad as the selectors look to build a younger core for future tournaments.
Shreyas Iyer, meanwhile, has strengthened his case through consistent performances and impressive leadership credentials in franchise cricket. The right-handed batter captained Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024 and previously led Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings to IPL finals in 2020 and 2025, respectively.
Despite not featuring in a T20I since December 2023, Iyer has remained among the most productive batters in the IPL. He amassed 604 runs at a strike rate of 175.07 during the 2025 season before following it up with 498 runs at a strike rate of 168.81 in IPL 2026.
The potential leadership switch would continue a recent trend in Indian cricket. Last year, Rohit Sharma was replaced as ODI captain shortly after leading India to the Champions Trophy 2025 title, although he retained his place in the squad as a player.
India are expected to announce their squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of Ireland and England on Saturday, with teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also set to earn his maiden international call-up.
The 15-year-old enjoyed a record-breaking IPL 2026 campaign, scoring 776 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 237.30. If selected, he would become the youngest player named in an Indian men’s squad since Sachin Tendulkar’s emergence in international cricket during the late 1980s.
India’s tour begins with two T20Is against Ireland in Belfast on June 26 and 28 before a five-match T20I series against England, scheduled from July 1 to 11.
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