Nothing comes easy for Suryakumar Yadav: Rohit Sharma reacts after sacking captain

Throwing his support behind Suryakumar Yadav after the batter was dropped from India’s T20I side and stripped of the captaincy, India captain Rohit Sharma said nothing ever came easy for the Mumbai star.

Speaking on the sidelines of the T20 Mumbai League on Saturday, Rohit reflected on Suryakumar’s journey to the top and highlighted the perseverance that helped him break into the Indian team in his thirties and eventually lead the side to T20 World Cup glory.

“I’m pretty sure nothing was easy, especially for Surya,” Rohit said.

“He made his India debut at 30 or 31 if I’m not mistaken, which means he never gave up. He always wanted to be in the fight and when it came he wanted to grab it with both hands and he did.”

The notes came hours later The Indian selectors have unveiled a new look for the T20I squad for the upcoming tour of Ireland and England. Shreyas Iyer was named captain Suryakumar was completely left out as India began planning for the 2028 T20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics.

Suryakumar’s omission marked the end of a remarkable chapter in India’s T20I setup. Since his debut in March 2021, the Mumbai batsman has scored 3,272 runs in 113 matches at an average of 36.35 and a strike rate of 162.94. His record includes 25 half-centuries and four centuries, figures that have helped him establish himself as one of the most devastating T20 batsmen in world cricket.

After Rohit retired from T20Is following India’s 2024 World Cup triumph, Suryakumar was handed the captaincy. His tenure proved successful as India won every bilateral T20I series under his leadership before making history by becoming the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title in Ahmedabad earlier this year.

ROHIT PROVIDES SHREYAS AS NEW INDIAN CAPTAIN

While paying tribute to Suryakumar’s journey, Rohit also supported Shreyas Iyer succeeds in his new role as India’s T20I captain.

Iyer’s appointment comes on the back of an impressive run as a leader in franchise cricket. He led Kolkata Knight Riders to the 2024 IPL title before leading Punjab Kings to the final the following season, re-establishing himself as one of the most respected captains in the Indian game.

Rohit believes these experiences will help him when he takes charge of the national team.

“I’m sure he will have a good time, looking at how he has been the captain in the last few years for his franchise,” Rohit said.

The India captain added that growing up playing cricket in Mumbai prepares players for the pressures and expectations that come with being in charge.

“Look, playing in Mumbai, representing Mumbai teaches you a lot of things. If you ask anyone who has captained India or Mumbai before us, they will tell you the same thing.”

“Nothing comes easy here. You really have to earn it, so the captaincy is also something you have to earn and earn the respect of the people around you. That’s something all these guys have.”

ROHIT PRAISES BOMBAY’S TALENTS

Rohit also took the opportunity to praise the T20 Mumbai League, saying that the competition continues to produce exceptional talent for Indian cricket.

The tournament, which is currently being played alongside the inaugural women’s edition, has become an important platform for young women cricketers looking to break into domestic and franchise cricket.

“When I look at what has happened and what has happened, it doesn’t surprise me at all because the talent that we are seeing is unreal,” Rohit said.

“We want a platform for all players to come out and showcase their talent, and this is the perfect platform for a lot of these guys to play and participate.”

With Shreyas now set to usher in a new era in India’s T20I set-up, Rohit’s comments served as a tribute to Suryakumar’s journey and an endorsement of the man who has been chosen to succeed him.

– The end

Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

June 6, 2026 10:17 PM IST