‘How can this happen?’: Suryakumar Yadav opens up on India’s shocking snub after T20 World Cup triumph

Suryakumar Yadav (AP photo) Suryakumar Yadav has finally opened up about the shock of losing his place in the Indian team just months after leading the side to the T20 World Cup title.The World Cup-winning captain was overlooked by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee for the next series against Ireland and England, with Shreyas Iyer taking over the T20I captaincy.The decision brought an abrupt end to Suryakumar’s tenure, despite India going undefeated in a series under his leadership and winning both the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup during his captaincy.However, Suryakumar’s batting form has been a major concern. The runs had dried up in the previous two years and he did not score a single half-century for India in 2025. In the T20 World Cup, his only notable innings came against the USA at his home ground, the Wankhede Stadium.In an interview with former India batsman Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel, Suryakumar revealed that he initially smiled when he found out that he had been left out.“I smiled when my name wasn’t there. Because when I played cricket with the team for a year or two and whenever I play, whenever I’ve been in situations where there’s pressure, where things don’t go my way, I’ve always smiled. I’ve relaxed. And that’s what I saw: moments in the past where I had an opportunity to do well. I was grateful,” Suryakumar said.

‘I never thought this would happen’

The 35-year-old admitted he expected to continue in charge of India beyond 2026 and believed there were other big challenges ahead, including the Olympics and the next T20 World Cup.However, he said he ultimately accepted that the selectors had the right to take a different view and make the decision they believed was best for the team’s future.“Obviously the situation that has happened now, although I didn’t think it would happen. Coming into 2026, I felt that I would move this team forward two more years into the future. The Olympics will come. Then there will be another T20 World Cup, another challenge for the future. But at the same time, what you think and what the other person thinks are two different things. If it’s important for them to go forward, it’s important to respect their own thoughts. But I didn’t respond because I felt it was their call.Suryakumar insisted he had no problem with Shreyas being chosen as his replacement and praised his former teammate. Still, he admitted that the decision was difficult to understand given the results India had achieved during his captaincy.“I saw the team they picked. I also played a lot of cricket with Shreyas. And I know he’s a good player, a good human being and also a good captain. So I wasn’t like, ‘Why did they make him captain?’ But yes, I was a little disappointed. Because you haven’t lost a single series in two years. You have won both the World Cup and the Asian Cup. Then you want the same thing to continue. Because if everything is going well, then why? What is the reason for the change? What is the reason for the change? It was happening in my mind. I sat at home for a month and a half,” said SKY.

“How can this happen?”

Suryakumar revealed that it was harder to deal with the disappointment once he was left alone to process what had happened. He said questions about the decision were still on his mind after India’s World Cup triumph.“I was thinking how can this happen? How is it possible? We just won the World Cup. Yes, the IPL was not as good as I wanted. We were sitting at home. Friends came, family came. Everyone said it was fine. Part of life. But then when they leave the house. We stay home alone,” he added.The Indian batter also revealed that the selectors informed him of their decision shortly before the squad for the England series was officially announced.According to Suryakumar, the selection committee called him two to three days before the announcement and told him it was time for India to move forward without him.“They called me 2-3 days before the announcement of the team. They called me that it’s time to move on. I didn’t respond. Because it’s not my fault. SKY has never been like that. Whoever took the call. He must have thought it was better for the team. It will be a good call for the future. You took the call. You told me. No problem. SKY is no problem.Despite being dropped, Suryakumar has made it clear that he remains available for India and will continue to play, ready to return whenever the selectors believe the time is right.“I am ready. You can call me anytime. I play cricket anytime. I will continue to play. Whenever you feel the time is right. Things are right,” he added.