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‘How can this happen?’: Suryakumar Yadav opens up on shock India snub after T20 World Cup triumph

Sandy Verma | August 29, 2026 3:24 PM CST

Suryakumar Yadav has finally opened up on the shock of losing his place in the Indian team just months after leading the side to the T20 World Cup title.The World Cup-winning captain was overlooked by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee for the next series against Ireland and England, with Shreyas Iyer chosen to take over the T20I captaincy.The decision brought an abrupt end to Suryakumar’s tenure despite India not losing a series under his leadership and winning both the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup during his time as captain.Suryakumar’s batting form, however, had been a major concern. Runs had dried up over the previous two years and he did not register a single half-century for India in 2025. At the T20 World Cup, his only notable innings came against the USA at his home ground, the Wankhede Stadium.Speaking to former India batter Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel, Suryakumar revealed that he initially smiled when he discovered he had been left out.“I smiled when my name was not there. Because when I played cricket with the team for a year or two, and whenever I am playing, so whenever I have been in situations like where there is pressure, where things are not going my way, I have always smiled. I have relaxed. And this is what I have seen: the moments in the past when I have had opportunities to do well. I have been grateful,” said Suryakumar.

‘Even I had not thought that this would happen’

The 35-year-old admitted he had expected to continue leading India beyond 2026 and believed there were more major challenges ahead, including the Olympics and another T20 World Cup.However, he said he eventually accepted that the selectors were entitled to take a different view and make the decision they believed was best for the team’s future.“Obviously, the situation that has come now, even I had not thought that this would happen. After coming in 2026, I felt that, going forward, I would be taking this team forward for another two years. The Olympics will come. Then there will be another T20 World Cup, another challenge going forward. But at the same time, what you think and what the other person thinks are two different things. It is important for them to respect their own thoughts. If they thought that going forward, this is a better call, they took that call. But I didn’t react. Because I felt that this was their call. They took that call in that moment. Going forward, if this team can do well under someone else, no problem,” he added.Suryakumar insisted he had no issue with Shreyas being chosen as his replacement and spoke highly of his former teammate. Yet, he admitted the decision was difficult to understand given the results India had achieved during his captaincy.“I have seen the team that they have chosen. I have also played a lot of cricket with Shreyas. And I know he is a good player, a good human being, and a good captain also. So, I was not like, ‘Why did they make him the captain?’ But yes, I was a little disappointed. Because you have not lost a single series in two years. You have won the World Cup and the Asia Cup. Then you want the same thing to go forward. Because when everything is going well, then why? What is the reason for the change? What is the reason for the change? It was going on in my mind. I was sitting at home for a month and a half,” said SKY.

‘How can this happen?’

Suryakumar revealed that the disappointment became harder to deal with once he was left alone to process what had happened. He said the questions over the decision continued to run through his mind after India’s World Cup triumph.“I was thinking, how can this happen? How is it possible? We just won the World Cup. Yes, IPL was not as good as how I wanted. We were sitting at home. Friends came, family came. Everyone said that it’s okay. Part of life. But then, when they leave the house. We stay alone at home,” he added.The India batter also revealed that the selectors informed him about their decision shortly before the squad for the England series was officially announced.According to Suryakumar, the selection committee called him two to three days before the announcement and told him that it was time for India to move forward without him.“They called me 2-3 days before the team was announced. They called me, saying it’s time to move on. I didn’t react. Because it’s not my fault. That’s not how SKY has ever been. Whatever call someone took. He must have thought that this was better for the team. Going forward, this will be a good call. You took the call. You told me. There is no problem,” said SKY.Despite being dropped, Suryakumar made it clear that he remains available for India and will continue playing, ready to return whenever the selectors believe the time is right.“I am ready. You can call me anytime. I am playing cricket anytime. I will continue to play. Whenever you feel the time is right. Things are right,” he added.