The race to take over the reins from Rohit Sharma as Indian Cricket Team’s T20 Captain has taken an unexpected turn, with Suryakumar Yadav now emerging as a strong contender. For the past two years, it seemed almost certain that Hardik Pandya would be promoted to the role.
Hardik has led India in T20 matches during Rohit’s absences since the 2022 T20 World Cup. He has also been captaining IPL teams like Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians for the last three years. As India’s vice-captain and a star performer in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Hardik seemed the obvious choice.
However, things have changed with Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as head coach. Suryakumar Yadav’s candidacy is now being seriously considered. The decision will be announced along with the squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka series, which includes three ODIs and T20Is. This announcement will be crucial, as it will determine who will lead India when they defend their T20 World Cup title on home soil in 2026.
| Player | Matches Played As T20I Captain | Matches Won As T20I Captain | Matches Lost As T20I Captain | Win Percentage | Matches Played As IPL Captain | Matches Won As IPL Captain | Matches Lost As IPL Captain | Win Percentage |
| Hardik Pandya | 16 | 10 | 5 | 62.50% | 45 | 26 | 19 | 57.7% |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 7 | 5 | 2 | 71.42% | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
Hardik Pandya’s Strengths
Hardik’s extensive experience as vice-captain and his role as a regular IPL captain make him a strong candidate. He is one of only four Indian captains to win the IPL and narrowly missed winning a second title in 2023.
Hardik Pandya’s Weaknesses
Despite his success with Gujarat Titans, Hardik had a disappointing season with Mumbai Indians in 2024, where the team finished last. Additionally, his need for regular rest to manage his workload could be a drawback for a permanent captaincy role.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Strengths
Suryakumar Yadav is one of the world’s best T20 batters. As India transitions after the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, Suryakumar stands out as a guaranteed starter in the shortest format, making him a strong candidate for captaincy.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Weaknesses
Suryakumar’s lack of captaincy experience is a major concern. He has only captained an IPL team once, and his stint as Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy captain in 2015 ended poorly when he resigned mid-season.
Who is the Better Candidate for India’s T20I Captaincy?
Based on conventional logic, Hardik Pandya seems the clear choice due to his experience as vice-captain and IPL captain. Historically, Indian cricket has preferred promoting the vice-captain to the captaincy role for continuity. If tradition holds, Hardik’s appointment should be straightforward.
However, it’s important to note that exceptions have been made in the past, such as when MS Dhoni was chosen over Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag for the 2007 T20 World Cup captaincy.
If Suryakumar Yadav is appointed captain, it will likely be influenced by head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has long believed in his leadership potential. Gambhir made Suryakumar vice-captain of Kolkata Knight Riders back in 2015, recognizing his potential even before he became an IPL star.
There’s also a case to be made that Hardik might perform better without the pressures of captaincy. Throughout his tenure as captain, whether for India or in the IPL, there has been criticism that he hasn’t maximized his own potential, particularly in terms of his batting style and bowling decisions.
Ultimately, the decision will shape India’s strategy and leadership as they look ahead to defending their T20 World Cup title in 2026.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye
