Shreyas Replaces Suryakumar as Indias New T20I Captain

India’s selectors have made a major change to the T20I setup, appointing Shreyas Iyer as the new captain. Suryakumar Yadav, who recently led India to a successful T20 World Cup title defense, has been left out of the squad for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England.

As part of India’s plans for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the next T20 World Cup, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned his maiden call-up to the national team. The teenage batter secured his place after an outstanding IPL campaign.

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravi Bishnoi have also returned to the squad, while Prince Yadav has received his first call-up. However, Rinku Singh and Kuldeep Yadav have been omitted from the T20 World Cup-winning squad. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested.

Suryakumar captained India during their successful T20 World Cup title defense in March. However, questions had emerged over his place in the side after he scored 242 runs in nine innings during the 2026 T20 World Cup and managed only 270 runs in 13 innings in the most recent IPL season. He will also be 38 years old by the time the 2028 World Cup arrives.

Meanwhile, 31-year-old Shreyas Iyer has not played a T20 International since December 2023. Nevertheless, his leadership credentials and consistent performances in domestic and franchise cricket have brought him back into contention. Under his captaincy, Kolkata Knight Riders won the IPL title in 2024, while he also guided Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings to IPL finals.

Sooryavanshi is among the youngest players ever selected for India’s men’s national team. Since Sachin Tendulkar in the late 1980s, no player this young has received a national-team call-up. In the most recent IPL season, he scored 776 runs at a strike rate exceeding 237.

Before the tours of Ireland and England, Sooryavanshi will also represent India A in a tri-series in Sri Lanka, which will feature Afghanistan as well.

If he makes his debut in Ireland or England, Sooryavanshi will become the first Indian cricketer to make his international debut before turning 16. Currently, Washington Sundar holds the record as India’s youngest T20I debutant, having earned his first cap at the age of 18 years and 80 days.

India will play two T20Is against Ireland on June 26 and 28 before taking on England in a five-match T20I series from July 1 to 11.