Despite having led India to a second consecutive T20 World Cup title earlier this year, concerns have now emerged over both his batting consistency and leadership role ahead of upcoming white-ball assignments against Ireland and England.
According to The Hindu, the selection committee is scheduled to meet in Guwahati on May 19 to finalise the Test squad for the one-off match against Afghanistan, and is also expected to hold informal discussions regarding the future direction of the T20I side.
Reports suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India had initially planned to persist with the World Cup-winning core for the upcoming tours. However, Suryakumar’s recent struggles have reportedly accelerated conversations around a potential transition.
During the 2026 T20 World Cup, he managed 242 runs from nine matches at a strike rate of 136.72, including just one half-century, which came against the United States. His form has not improved significantly in the IPL either.
Representing Mumbai Indians, the 35-year-old has scored 195 runs in 11 matches at an average below 18 and a strike rate of 144.44, numbers that fall short of his usual high standards.
With Suryakumar turning 36 in the coming months, questions are also being raised about his long-term role in India’s roadmap leading up to the 2028 T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. However, the absence of a clear successor remains a challenge for selectors, with names like Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer reportedly being discussed as possible leadership options.
As India prepares for a crucial transition phase, the coming selection meetings could prove decisive in shaping the future of the T20I setup.
