'I smiled after spotting my name isn't there': Suryakumar Yadav recalls 1st reaction after getting sacked as T20I captain

Former no.1 T20I batter, India's T20 World Cup 2026-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav faced the axe from the selectors as they saw the future with Shreyas Iyer. Suryakumar's diminishing returns with the bat in international cricket followed by an underwhelming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season led to him getting dropped from the side. Months after his sacking, Suryakumar revealed that he was told by the selectors a few days before the team was announced. The former captain also recalled his first reaction when he didn't see his name in the squad announced for UK tour where India couldn’t register a single win against Ireland and England.

"I smiled after spotting that my name isn't there. Whenever I have been in pressure situations or when things aren't going in my favour, I've always smiled, relaxed. I have looked back at the moments and been grateful," he said on Aakash Chopra's YouTube channel.

ALSO READ: Women's Asia Cup: Sri Lanka kick off title defense with crushing 9-wicket win over UAE

However, Suryakumar did not expect the selectors to show him the door. He was already preparing to lead India for the next years which will feature two major tournaments — LA Olympics and the T20 World Cup 2026.

ALSO READ: Isle of Man veteran scripts historic feat at 51, shatters 96-year-old record

Suryakumar has had an exemplary record as T20I captain, leading team to win in 50 completed T20Is. His last T20I appearance was in the final of T20 World Cup 2026 against New Zealand. 

How Iyer has fared as T20I captain

The 35-year-old has backed Iyer to do well as captain. Iyer had a rocky start to his T20I captaincy career, not winning a single match on the UK tour. Then, he completed a series whitewash against Zimbabwe. His next assignment is the Asian Games 2026 in Japan.

SKY not giving up on comeback

Suryakumar also revealed that he wondered for several weeks how he was dropped from the team right after a major tournament win. He was consoled by family and friends but the thought continued to haunt him.

But, the former India T20I captain is still hopeful of making a return to the T20I side. He is ready and putting in the hard work. He will get a chance to prove himself in the Syed Mushtaq T20 Trophy 2026 for Mumbai.