BCCI in favour of sacking Suryakumar Yadav:Gambhir needs to take final call, but Tilak already in contention ahead of Gill, Shreyas

Suryakumar Yadav’s future as India’s T20 captain could primarily be decided by head coach Gautam Gambhir. The reason? The national selection committee is not completely convinced that he can make it to the team purely as a batter. Instead, the selectors eye Tilak Varma as the next possible prospect over Shubman Gill. A senior BCCI source told PTI that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection panel is in favour of moving on from Surya, who hasn’t recovered his form for a year now. However, considering that Gambhir is more comfortable working with Suryakumar Yadav, the board cannot make a direct decision without involving the head coach in it. ‘Selectors don’t see him playing 2028 Olympics’: BCCI about Surya Considering the never-ending that Suryakumar Yadav has been going through, all five selectors largely believe that the current T20 captain should be dropped from the XI. Despite successfully defending the T20 WC, selectors are now looking at the bigger picture for Indian cricket. As per PTI, a senior BCCI source revealed, “Initially, the selectors thought that IPL would help Suryakumar regain form like the last edition when he crossed 700 runs. But strangely, there hasn’t been any technical course correction in his game.” “Even the rookiest of pacers are just bowling straight hard lengths, and he has no answer. Selectors don’t see him playing the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. It is as simple as that,” the source further added. After horrifying numbers, now even trust is weakening in India’s T20I captain. The source said, “If someone can’t earn his place as a batter, how can he be a leader? Hence, it is difficult to retain him, but Ajit (Agarkar) and Gautam need to be on the same page.” Selectors cannot sack Suryakumar Yadav without Gambhir’s accent Despite the dip in form and runs that Suryakumar Yadav is experiencing, selectors cannot straightaway remove Surya from the T20 setup. Reason? Gambhir is not known to operate as a ceremonial head coach. Those familiar with his working style insist that in any set-up he oversees, the final word often rests with him. Since his relationship with Suryakumar has remained exceptionally warm, if Gambhir chooses to back him and veto the move to sack him, the selection committee may be forced to postpone the inevitable. Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Tilak Varma lined up for captaincy If Suryakumar Yadav goes packing, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer are lined up to take up the crown. However, Gill will need to do better than a great IPL season to get back the leadership. Meanwhile, due to the dynamics between Shreyas Iyer and Gautam Gambhir, the PBKS captain is unlikely to be considered for role. Shreyas is a powerful contender with tactical sharpness and a strong personality, but seemingly, Iyer has not gotten over the quiet disappointment when Kolkata Knight Riders’ 2024 IPL triumph was widely projected as Gambhir’s victory as mentor. In terms of playing XI compatibility with Gill at the top, Sanju Samson can come at No.3, and Ishan Kishan can join in at four. However, with the rise of ‘wonder boy’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as opener, Tilak Varma is gathering popularity for the role. Even the senior BCCI source confirmed, “Don’t rule out Tilak if Surya is sacked. There’s a reason that Tilak has been made captain for the tri-nation A series, where selectors would get to see his leadership skills.” For now, Indian cricket is once again in a dilemma between future planning and power dynamics. However, these possibilities will come into play if Gambhir lets go of his captain. If the Indian head coach says Surya deserves one more series, the T20 WC-winning captain might regain the trust of the selectors.