Suryakumar emerges as dark horse for India's T20I captaincy

The big-hitting Suryakumar Yadav has emerged as the dark horse to become India’s T20 captain till the 2026 World Cup and might just pip top contender Hardik Pandya, whose elevation from the vice-captain’s position was being seen as a natural progression up until now.

Pandya made himself available for the shortest format games against Sri Lanka this month but it has emerged that Suryakumar, who captained India in eight T20Is against Australia and South Africa last year, is the preferred choice of new head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.

It is learnt that both Gambhir and Agarkar spoke to Pandya about this change of plan earlier this evening and explained to him that a longterm option was being finalised to ensure stability.