• Source:JND

The Indian cricket team is all set and ready for the T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to be played in February-March. India's squad for the T20 WC has already been announced, and Suryakumar Yadav will be leading the side in the tournament.

In an interesting turn of events, the BCCI selection committee named Axar Patel as the new vice-captain of the T20I side, as star batter Shubman Gill was dropped amid his disappointing form. Ishan Kishan made his return to the India setup, having recently impressed with his performance in domestic cricket.

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On the back of his own remarkable effort with the bat, Kishan led Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title win. While everything looked promising within the squad, there are a few concerns, including the current batting form of the skipper, Suryakumar Yadav. "I've been batting beautifully in the nets, I'm trying everything that I can, what's in my control," he said. "When the runs have to come, they will definitely come, but yes, I'm looking for runs. Not out of form, but definitely out of runs."

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Suryakumar, who has been a remarkable T20I player for India ever since he made his international debut in 2021, has scored just 218 runs in 2025 with an average of less than 14. His strike rate is also down to less than 118. There were some reactions from fans as well as experts that if Gill was dropped due to his poor batting form, then what made Suryakumar escape the same fate despite having worse numbers?

With his age being 35, the upcoming T20 World Cup could turn out to be the last assignment for Suryakumar, at least as a captain, before the team management decides to go for a new leader heading forward.


Let's take a look at a few options for India's T20I captaincy heading forward

Axar Patel: 681 runs and 82 wickets in 85 matches

Axar is the new vice-captain of the Indian team in the T20Is, which means the team management has seen leadership potential in him. He has the experience of captaincy in the IPL and will continue to be the skipper of the Delhi Capitals for the upcoming season as well

 

Hardik Pandya: 2002 runs and 101 wickets in 124 matches

Hardik has been India's best player in the format over the past few months as he continues to impress on the back of his ability to create a big impact with both bat and ball. He has captained India in the past and had commendable results. Pandya has captained the Gujarat Titans and the Mumbai Indians in the IPL cricket.


Sanju Samson: 1032 runs in 52 matches

Sanju is yet to cement his place in the T20I side despite being around for a while now. However, he might open on a regular basis at least during the T20 World Cup 2026. While it seems likely that he will become India's next T20I captain, the star wicketkeeper-batter also has a promising amount of experience as the skipper, having led the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL for a few years.


Abhishek Sharma: 1115 runs in 33 matches

Abhishek is already a regular in India's T20I side and has impressed a lot with his attacking batting. It won't be a surprise if the team management and selectors decide to invest in a new and young face like Abhishek as a leader after the T20 World Cup 2026.

 

Jasprit Bumrah: 103 wickets in 83 matches

Bumrah has been India's best performer for a couple of years across formats. He has the ability to turn the game in India's favour from any situation. He was considered for India's Test captaincy on a regular basis and has led the side a few times.

He could be one of the big contenders for the T20I captaincy, but his fitness issues and workload management might keep himself out of the mix.


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