‘Selectors must look ahead’: Former India cricketer’s harsh verdict on Suryakumar Yadav’s future in India

Suryakumar Yadav (ANI Photo) Former Indian cricketer and selector Saba Karim believes India’s T20 set-up could undergo another major change ahead of the 2028 T20 World Cup, with incumbent captain Suryakumar Yadav among the players whose place in the side could come under scrutiny.Suryakumar has struggled to emulate the consistency that once made him one of the most feared T20 batsmen in the world. While he produced a couple of half-centuries against New Zealand earlier this year and played a crucial innings in India’s T20 World Cup opener against the USA, his total returns have fallen short of expectations.The 35-year-old’s struggles continued during IPL 2026 where he managed 270 runs from 13 matches at a strike rate of 147.54 and scored just two half-centuries.Karim feels these performances can influence the long-term plans of the selectors as they start building the squad for the next T20 World Cup.“On current form, Suryakumar may not be part of the selection committee’s vision to take this team forward,” Karim told PTI.“We have seen it in the past; the selection committee moved on from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and picked a new side. So you can see it happening even now in the T20 World Cup in 2028.”Karim noted that Suryakumar’s problems have gone beyond the IPL and believes the time has come for the selectors to focus on the future.“Even in the World Cup, Suryakumar’s form has been very indifferent and that has continued in the IPL. I think the selectors have to look ahead (now),” Karim added.Discussing potential management options for the Indian T20 side, Karim backed Rajat Patidar, who recently led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second consecutive IPL title.Despite yet to play a T20I for India, Karim believes Patidar’s leadership credentials deserve serious consideration.“I would like to add Rajat Patidar’s name as a contender for the captaincy. Winning back-to-back IPL titles is a very tough task and he has done it very calmly and confidently,” Karim said.“He had to lead a team of individuals and foreign players who were stars of their national teams. It is a very difficult task to lead a team with so many legends and a mix of experience and he did it.”Karim also identified several other players who could enter the captaincy conversation in the coming years.“I think Shreyas Iyer would be one of those candidates. I have Sanju Samson (and) actually Ishan Kishan (too). I think there will be two or three strong contenders to take over the captaincy,” he said.However, Karim does not expect Hardik Pandya to be among the frontrunners.“I think the selectors have raised questions about Hardik Pandya’s leadership skills. Last season, though Mumbai Indians qualified for the playoffs, there were some question marks about his leadership style.”“(Even) in his current form, I don’t think he will justify his position as the captain of the Indian side,” he said.Karim also heaped praise on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying the 15-year-old has already done enough to put himself firmly in contention for national selection.The former selector expects the youngster’s performances in India A’s ongoing tri-series in Sri Lanka to be closely monitored before a final decision is made.“I am sure he will be part of the discussion. The selectors will be watching him in the tri-nation (A) series in Sri Lanka. If he does well there, I am sure he will look,” he said.“I feel strongly that such a talent needs to be picked as soon as possible because he has done enough to warrant a place in the squad. Now, what number you put him at is a completely different game,” added Karim.