World Cup Winner Suryakumar Yadav Axed: 'How is it Possible?'

Less than two months after lifting the T20 World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav has broken his silence on a stunning omission from the national squad, articulating deep disbelief at the selectors' decision to strip him of captaincy and sideline him.

Yadav had just guided India to a historic third T20 World Cup title on home soil, a commanding 96-run victory over New Zealand in Ahmedabad marking the first time a team successfully defended the crown as hosts.

Throughout the triumphant campaign, the dynamic batter proved central, finishing as India's second-highest run-scorer with 242 runs at an average of 30.25 and a striking rate of 136.72. His standout performance included a match-winning unbeaten 84 off 49 balls against the USA, for which he was named Player of the Match.

Yet, the euphoria quickly gave way to a stark reality as the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee opted for a dramatic shake-up, removing Yadav from captaincy and excluding him from subsequent T20I tours to Ireland and England, with Shreyas Iyer taking the reins.

Reflecting on the unexpected call, Yadav revealed his initial bewilderment to former India cricketer Aakash Chopra:

“I was thinking, how can this happen? How is it possible? We just won the World Cup.”

He admitted to smiling upon seeing his name absent, a common coping mechanism in high-pressure situations.

Beyond the initial shock, a deeper disappointment lingered for Yadav, especially given India’s unbeaten run in series under his captaincy, encompassing both the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup. He shared that selectors had informed him “two-three days” before the official announcement, advising it was “time to move on” from him.

Sources close to the selection committee point to Yadav's dip in batting form over the preceding two years, with only one significant knock during the World Cup and no fifties for India in 2025. This aligns with a strategic shift towards building a younger, future-ready squad, recognizing Yadav would be 38 by the next T20 World Cup, signaling a ruthless and unsentimental approach.

Despite the abrupt exclusion, Yadav spent 40 to 50 days at home contemplating his future before a renewed determination set in, bolstered by his wife's support. He remains committed to intense hard work, believing that with sustained effort, a national team return will eventually “fall into place” for a potential return to the national team.