Suryakumar responds to captaincy axe with message for Team India, congratulates Vaibhav
New Delhi, June 6
India's T20 World Cup winner Suryakumar Yadav has broken his silence after being removed as the men's T20I captain, extending his best wishes to the national team and congratulating teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on earning his maiden international call-up.
Hours after the BCCI announced Shreyas Iyer as India's new T20I captain and left Suryakumar out of the squads for the upcoming tours of Ireland, England, and the Asian Games, the 35-year-old took to social media for the first time.
In an Instagram story, Suryakumar shared a photograph of the Indian team and wrote, "Wishing this highly skilled group all the best for the challenges ahead."
The brief message came shortly after chief selector Ajit Agarkar described the decision to move on from Suryakumar as captain as a "tough one", despite him leading India to the T20 World Cup title earlier this year.
"With regards to Surya, obviously, it's a tough one, having just won the World Cup. Someone who's led you to the World Cup, it's not the easiest thing to try and change," Agarkar said in the press conference.
Suryakumar's recent struggles with the bat also influenced the decision. The 35-year-old endured a lean T20 World Cup campaign and followed it up with a disappointing IPL 2026 season, scoring 270 runs in 13 innings as the Mumbai Indians finished ninth.
Suryakumar also reserved special praise for 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was named in India's T20I squad on Saturday following a sensational IPL campaign.
Sharing a separate message on social media, Suryakumar wrote, "You have earned it and how. Super excited to follow your journey."
Sooryavanshi's selection caps a remarkable rise for the Rajasthan Royals opener, who emerged as one of the breakout stars of IPL 2026. The left-handed batter amassed 776 runs during the season, including a century and five half-centuries, and finished as the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
The teenager is now on the verge of creating history. If he makes his international debut during the upcoming series, Vaibhav could become India's youngest-ever international cricketer, surpassing the record held by legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar, who made his Test debut at the age of 16 years and 205 days in 1989.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at 15! 😲 This kid is going to be massive. 776 runs in IPL and now potentially breaking Sachin's record? It feels like we're witnessing history in the making. Surya's gesture to congratulate him is so wholesome. Indian cricket is in good hands - experienced players mentoring the young champs! 🇮🇳
Look, I get that Surya hasn't been in great form - 270 runs in IPL is disappointing for someone of his caliber. But removing him as captain after winning the World Cup? That's a bit extreme. Agarkar said it was a tough decision, but the timing feels off. Should have given him at least one more series to find form. Still, great to see Vaibhav getting his chance - if the kid performs, all this will be forgotten. 🏏
So happy for Vaibhav! 🙌 Breaking through at 15 is unbelievable. And Surya's words - "You have earned it and how" - shows he's a true team man. But I'm worried about the pressure on this young boy. Let's not expect him to be the next Sachin right away. Give him time, let him grow. Also, hope Surya bounces back in domestic cricket - we need his experience in the dressing room!
Okay, but can we talk about how the BCCI handled this? Surya finds out he's dropped through a press conference? That's not how you treat a World Cup-winning captain. Yes, form matters, but communication matters more. Also, Vaibhav at 15 is exciting but let's not get carried away. IPL performance is one thing, international cricket is a different beast. Let the boy play first, then we'll see. Selective criticism here: the board needs better people management. 🎯
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