Former India off-spinner Ashwin has questioned the decision to drop Suryakumar Yadav from India’s T20I squad, suggesting that the World Cup-winning captain deserved more time to rediscover his batting form before such a major call was made. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced a new-look T20I squad for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, with Shreyas Iyer taking over the captaincy. The decision also brought an end to Suryakumar’s tenure as skipper just two months after he guided India to a successful T20 World Cup title defence.

While Suryakumar’s recent performances with the bat have fallen below his usual standards, Ravichandran Ashwin believes the circumstances surrounding his omission make the decision a significant moment in Indian cricket. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Ashwin said he tried to view the situation from Suryakumar’s perspective and felt the batter had every right to be disappointed.

“I think it’s a very interesting precedent,” Ravichandran Ashwin said. “If I put myself in Suryakumar Yadav’s shoes, I can understand how difficult this must be. Any player would be gutted after being left out of the side.”

Suryakumar endured a mixed 2026 season. Although he led India to T20 World Cup glory, his personal returns were modest. He scored 242 runs during the tournament at a strike rate of 136.72 and followed it up with a disappointing IPL campaign, managing only 270 runs at a strike rate of 147.54. However, Ashwin argued that captaincy achievements should also carry significant weight in selection discussions.

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“His batting form may not have been at its peak, but he still managed to lead India to a World Cup title. Every successful team depends on contributions from players in different roles, and he certainly fulfilled his responsibility as captain,” Ravichandran Ashwin explained. The veteran spinner also believes the decision could influence how future leadership transitions are handled. “This is a landmark selection call. It sets a precedent. How often do we see a captain win a T20 World Cup and then get dropped from the side without being given an extended opportunity to bounce back?” Ashwin asked.

At the same time, Ravichandran Ashwin acknowledged that Shreyas Iyer is a deserving candidate for the role. The Mumbai batter has built a strong reputation for leadership in the IPL, guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to the 2024 title and leading Punjab Kings to the 2025 final. Still, Ashwin feels Shreyas faces a unique challenge after being brought back into the T20I setup directly as captain, despite not having played a T20I for India since December 2023.

“I have always believed Shreyas deserved a return to the T20 side,” Ashwin said. “But if I were one of the players from that World Cup-winning squad, I would naturally wonder whether someone already within the group could have been considered for the leadership role.” Ashwin also pointed to the vice-captaincy debate, noting that India had previously invested in developing a leadership structure within the squad.

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According to him, such decisions will continue to spark discussion as India begins a new T20I cycle focused on the 2028 T20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics. For now, the selection of Shreyas Iyer marks the beginning of a new era, while Suryakumar Yadav’s omission remains one of the most talked-about decisions in recent Indian cricket history.