Suryakumar Yadav Eyes Comeback as Captain
Suryakumar Yadav has had a rollercoaster year. He led India to the 2026 T20 World Cup triumph, celebrated fatherhood, but lost his spot in the Indian team and is now believed to be leaving the Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2027.
The 35-year-old struggled in the IPL 2026, scoring only 270 runs in 13 innings at an average of 20.77. There are rumours in the dressing room that the management is planning to send SKY away before the IPL 2027 season. Meanwhile, the right-handed batter continues to improve his fundamentals and looks forward to the forthcoming domestic season.
The 2017 domestic season will begin later in August, but Suryakumar Yadav is expected to play for Mumbai in October, first in the Ranji Trophy, then the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Despite no longer being part of India’s aspirations, SKY remains an important member of the Mumbai team. Recently, he stated a desire to head the side.Suryakumar Yadav responded, “Anything for Mumbai,” when asked about leading Mumbai during a conversation with journalist Makarand Waingankar.
Notably, Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from all kinds of cricket. Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur and Shreyas Iyer led the team last year. Now that Iyer has been named India’s new T20I captain, he is unlikely to play often in the forthcoming domestic season.
As a result, Suryakumar Yadav is now eligible to captain Mumbai and make a case for a return to international cricket.
Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy record
Suryakumar Yadav first led India in a T20I in November 2023, replacing an injured Hardik Pandya, and the team won the series 4-1 against Australia. Finally, Gautam Gambhir arrived in 2024 and appointed SKY as the permanent captain.
In the two-year cycle, SKY led India in 52 T20Is, winning 40 and losing only eight. SKY finished his stint with a 76.9% winning percentage.
The 35-year-old also led the Mumbai Indians in five matches, winning two and losing three. In terms of domestic cricket, he has previously led Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (List A), Ranji Trophy (First-Class), and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20).
As a result, Suryakumar Yadav has a strong case for himself, and it would not be surprising if MCA appointed him as Mumbai’s next captain.
Is Suryakumar Yadav’s return to India still possible?
Team India has gotten off to the worst possible start since the departure of Suryakumar Yadav. Shreyas Iyer’s side has played ten T20Is since the 2026 T20 World Cup, winning only three, all against Zimbabwe.
India failed to win a single T20I on their UK visit, prompting the BCCI to consider SKY’s return. According to Times Now Journalist Karishma Singh, Suryakumar Yadav still has a chance to make his T20I comeback because the BCCI has not officially ruled him out of contention. However, one requirement applies: the batter must play well in both the domestic circuit and for his IPL side.
