Suryakumar Yadav has finally spoken about the decision that ended his stint as India’s T20I captain, admitting that the development came as a surprise despite the team’s recent success under his leadership.

Speaking during a conversation with former India batter Aakash Chopra, Suryakumar revealed that he had expected to continue leading India for the next couple of years. The right-hander had been looking ahead to major international events, including the next T20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics.

India’s decision to move on from Suryakumar came only a few months after he captained the team to the 2026 T20 World Cup title. During his leadership period, India also enjoyed a successful run in bilateral T20I cricket and won the Asia Cup.

Suryakumar said he was disappointed when he learned that he would no longer be part of the T20I setup. However, he made it clear that he respected the selectors’ decision and did not want to create controversy around the change.

The selectors subsequently handed the captaincy to Shreyas Iyer, while Suryakumar was left out of the squad for the upcoming assignments. The change was linked partly to concerns over Suryakumar’s batting form and the selectors’ plans for India’s next T20I cycle.

Despite the setback, Suryakumar praised Iyer and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the side. His response has highlighted the professional approach he wants to maintain while working towards a return to international cricket.

For now, Suryakumar’s focus appears to be on getting back to his best with the bat. He has previously said that he is continuing to work hard and hopes everything will eventually fall into place for an India comeback.

The next chapter of Suryakumar’s career could therefore be about rebuilding his batting form and earning another opportunity in India’s T20I squad.