Shreyas Iyer replaces Suryakumar Yadav as captain; Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earns maiden India T20I call-up

Teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned a maiden India T20I call-up for the tours of Ireland, England, and the Asian Games. Shreyas Iyer takes over the captaincy from Suryakumar Yadav, who has been dropped entirely from the squad

Mumbai: Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned a maiden call-up to the Indian T20I team for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, as well as the 2026 Asian Games. In a sweeping change, Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as India’s new T20I captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav, who has been completely left out of the squads.

Reflecting on the decision, chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated during a press conference: “Shreyas was quite close to getting into that T20 World Cup squad. It was a tough call on Suryakumar Yadav, but you need to reassess your plan moving forward. Shreyas is a well-deserving captain. He is a standout candidate with enough experience.

“I talked to most people, particularly when it comes to a captain who has won the World Cup. We had that chat. We debated it a lot; it’s not the easiest discussion, especially if you’ve won the World Cup. At some stage, we would’ve had to discuss it. Shreyas playing as well as he has made the decision easier.”

India will play two T20Is in Belfast on June 26 and 28, followed by a five-match series in England from July 1 to 11. The team will then compete in the men’s T20 event at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, this September. Although the 35-year-old Suryakumar captained India to a successful defense of the T20 World Cup title in March, his prolonged lean patch forced the selectors’ hand.

Suryakumar managed only 270 runs in 13 innings for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026 at a meager average of 20.76, while his World Cup returns—242 runs at a strike rate of 136.72—were also modest. With the next T20 World Cup scheduled for 2028, the selectors felt the time was right to pivot to the future, naming Shreyas the new skipper and appointing Tilak Varma as vice-captain.

“Shubman Gill was vice-captain leading into the World Cup, but when we decided to carry two wicketkeepers, he missed out,” Agarkar explained. “Axar Patel was also vice-captain, but we are looking at what is best for the next two-year cycle. Tilak is a terrific player, and this gives him an opportunity to learn on the job.”

The 31-year-old Shreyas returns to the T20I fold after last appearing in December 2023. Though he was part of the squad against New Zealand earlier this year, he did not feature in the playing eleven. He is now expected to slot in at number four, the position previously held by Suryakumar.

Sooryavanshi’s inclusion is equally historic. Fresh off winning the Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament awards in India’s 2026 U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup triumph, the Rajasthan Royals batter smashed 776 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 237.30 in IPL 2026. At just 15, he becomes the youngest player selected for an India men’s senior squad since Sachin Tendulkar in 1989. Before joining the senior tour, he will feature for India A in the 50-over tri-series in Sri Lanka from June 9 to 21.

“Vaibhav’s performances almost forced us to pick him,” Agarkar added. “I know he’s young, but he has put together two strong IPL seasons in a row, and we all saw what he did at the Under-19 level. The talent is undeniable. We are hopeful that when he gets an opportunity, he shows that same ability. There will be tougher challenges ahead, but he has shown great promise and temperament.”

Meanwhile, seam-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana returns after undergoing meniscus tear surgery in March, alongside leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi. Fast bowler Prince Yadav, who impressed during IPL 2026, has been included for the tours of Ireland and England, while premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah will replace him for the Asian Games squad.

India’s squad for T20Is against Ireland and England: Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav.

India’s squad for 2026 Asian Games (Japan): Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.