Suryakumar, 35, has struggled with the bat in recent months, managing only 242 runs in nine T20 World Cup innings, with his unbeaten 84 against the United States the lone standout. His form dipped further in IPL 2026, where he scored just 270 runs in 13 innings at an average of 20.76 as Mumbai Indians finished ninth in the ten\u2011team points table.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With Shreyas taking over, Suryakumar has been totally omitted from the squads for tours of Ireland, England and the Asian Games. Iyer, 31, last played a T20I in December 2023 but boasts of strong captaincy credentials in the IPL. He led Kolkata Knight Riders to the title in 2024, guided Punjab Kings to a runners\u2011up finish in 2025, and steered Delhi Capitals to the final in 2020.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI mean, with regards to Shreyas, obviously, we've seen what he's done over the last few years, leading different franchises, obviously, won once, finals twice, and probably had a tougher season this year after a great start. So we've seen everything that a captain possibly can. His own performances have been really good.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe was quite close to getting in that World Cup squad as well. Obviously, with Surya still there, there was no room for him. So he is, in my opinion, a standout candidate with enough experience now having led in the T20 format. This is obviously a different challenge,\u201d said Agarkar in the press conference at BCCI HQ on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On Suryakumar\u2019s removal, Agarkar admitted it was a tough call. \u201cWith regards to Surya, obviously, it's a tough one, having just won the World Cup. But as it happens, after most World Cups, you try and reassess what your best way forward is.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cPartly his own form, but also looking at the next two\u2011year cycle or a little bit more than two years now till the next World Cup. We thought this was the best way forward and like I said, Surya is a well\u2011deserving captain. I mean, of course, it's a tough decision.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSomeone who's led you to the World Cup, it's not the easiest thing to try and change. But like I said, we've not had any international cricket after that World Cup. Partly the form, but partly also how we go forward is always at the back of your mind. Going ahead with a new captain, in this case, Shreyas, was in our opinion,\u201d added Agarkar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tilak Varma has been named as the new vice\u2011captain and Agarkar stated it was another call made keeping the long-term vision in mind. \u201cI mean, Shubman Gill was vice\u2011captain leading into that World Cup when we made a call to obviously have two keepers at the top and he missed out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThen Axar Patel was vice\u2011captain and just replacing Shubman Gill. So, no, I think we were, again, like Shreyas Iyer, obviously you're looking at what's the best thing for the next two\u2011year cycle. Tilak, firstly, he's a terrific player and this gives him an opportunity to learn the job as well, just in case if that need arises ever.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Further speaking on Shreyas and Tilak, Agarkar explained, \u201cIt's, again, this is a clean slate almost. We played the World Cup in USA and Caribbean in 2024 June, and this was sort of February, March, which is not even two years really. But the next one, we've got a bit more time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cLike I said, I think Shreyas absolutely deserves it with his performances, one, particularly with the bat. I think first, he should be good enough to be a player in the team. Then his performances as captain, and obviously, having won it once with, GG was with him at KKR, and then a couple of really good seasons with Punjab.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo, no, it's perhaps a little bit unusual that he wasn't, but he was very close to always being in the team over the last couple of years. It's just that Surya and Tilak, the spots that he bats, were there, and he couldn't find a spot. So, now that he's found a spot, I think he's, like I said, he's earned it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On the conversation he had with Surya, Agarkar explained, \u201cYou look at, obviously, the form in the last couple of years. But he was the captain, we were doing really well as him \u2013 winning so many games, and eventually ending up winning the World Cup. Obviously, we deliberated a lot, especially when someone's led you to a World Cup win.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo, no, it's perhaps a little bit unusual that he wasn't, but he was very close to always being in the team over the last couple of years. It's just that Surya and Tilak, the spots that he bats, were there, and he couldn't find a spot. So, now that he's found a spot, I think he's, like I said, he's earned it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWith regards to Sky, I don't think I don't want to give an insight. I mean, it's like a conversation between Surya and me. Look, we know he's been captain that's just won a World Cup. So it's not the easiest conversation when you want to tell the player that. But you're doing everything in the interest of what the team needs going forward,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\r\n\r\n