Suryakumar Yadav takes over as India’s T20I Captain, questions raised about Mumbai Indians’ captaincy

India’s explosive middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav has been named captain for the T20I series against Sri Lanka, stepping into the role previously held by Hardik Pandya. This decision has sparked debate, especially considering the ongoing discussions about Mumbai Indians’ leadership.

Yadav, who has been a standout player for Mumbai Indians, was initially a contender for the captaincy role alongside Jasprit Bumrah before Hardik Pandya’s arrival at the franchise. To the surprise of many, Mumbai Indians chose Pandya as the captain over Yadav before the IPL 2024 auction, a move that raised eyebrows among fans and experts alike.

Suryakumar Yadav, known for his dynamic batting style, has only captained India in T20Is on a temporary basis. Despite not being the permanent captain, he has stepped in successfully, leading India to notable victories. His record in T20Is is impressive, with five wins out of seven matches. Notably, Yadav led India to a 4-1 series win against Australia following the 2023 World Cup.

As Yadav prepares to lead the Indian team, questions about his future role with Mumbai Indians and how he will perform compared to Pandya continue to be a topic of interest.