Indian Cricket Team News: Suryakumar Yadav is reportedly set to be sacked as the T20I captain and could find himself out of the team in the shortest format. The right-handed batter, while leading the Men in Blue to a record third title in March, did not have the best of times with the bat in hand. Following a disappointing T20 World Cup, Suryakumar’s poor form continued in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer leads the race to replace the 35-year-old batter. Here is a look at the potential Suryakumar Yadav replacements in the Indian cricket team.
Shreyas Iyer to replace Suryakumar Yadav
Shreyas Iyer leads the race to replace Suryakumar Yadav in the Indian Cricket Team. The Punjab Kings skipper has been one of the most improved middle-order batters in the IPL in recent years. Since IPL 2025, Iyer has scored 937 runs in 26 innings. His strike rate during this period is in excess of 170, making him perfect for the approach that has been employed by the Men in Blue in the last couple of years.Â
Indian Cricket Team: Rajat Patidar could take Suryakumar Yadav
Rajat Patidar created history as he led the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a maiden IPL title in 2025. The right-handed batter has not only led RCB to the title but has also been one of the top-performing batters. Since IPL 2025, Patidar has scored 630 runs in 23 innings. He struck at a rate of 167.55 and has particularly gone at an even better pace against spin bowlers. With the position being in the middle order, Patidar’s performance against spinners could help him take up the spot.
Will KL Rahul make a comeback in the Indian Cricket Team?
In the middle of most Indian batters going at a bludgeoning strike rate, there seems to be an absence of an anchor-type player. KL Rahul has been one of the most versatile players across formats for the Indian team. He has opened the innings in test cricket while batting in the middle order in ODIs and keeping wickets. In T20Is, while there is already an abundance of wicketkeepers with Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, Rahul could be a useful addition as a batter. He has been one of the top scorers in IPL in the last two seasons. The right-hander has scored 1,007 runs in two years while striking at 162. His average during this period is 50.Â
Also Read: Is Sanju Samson Ready to Replace Suryakumar Yadav As Team India’s T20I Captain?
