Suryakumar Yadav gave a cheeky reply when a paparazzi told him that he was being missed during India’s ongoing T20I series against England. The 35-year-old, who has been out of the squad since the team’s shake-up after the T20 World Cup, looked slightly amused before asking whether the comment was really meant for him.
Suryakumar then responded with a smile and a touch of sarcasm, saying, “Kyon? Accha toh chal raha hai.” The comment quickly caught attention, especially because the right-hander was removed from India’s T20 setup despite having led the side to the 2026 T20 World Cup title.
After Suryakumar’s exit, Mumbai teammate Shreyas Iyer was handed the captaincy, beginning with India’s tours of Ireland and England. While the move was meant to usher in a new phase, India’s results have not gone entirely to plan.
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Suryakumar’s record as India’s T20I captain was impressive. He won 40 of his 52 matches and suffered only eight defeats, while also guiding India to the 2025 Asia Cup title and a T20I series win in Australia last year. Even so, his batting numbers had dipped noticeably over time, with his average falling to 26 across 33 innings since the start of 2024.
Suryakumar Yadav cooked someone 🤣🔥
When a paps said, “We miss you in Team India,” listen to his reply…. 😂🔥 pic.twitter.com/toXDuoH2Vf
— Jara (@JARA_Memer) July 4, 2026
His form during India’s 2026 T20 World Cup triumph was mixed as well. In nine matches, he scored 30.25 on average at a strike rate of 136.72, which was steady rather than explosive by his usual standards. The following IPL 2026 season did little to strengthen his case, as he managed just 20.76 on average in 13 games.
India’s T20I results after Suryakumar’s removal have also come under the scanner. Under Shreyas Iyer, the Men in Blue suffered a surprise 0-2 whitewash against Ireland, a result that shocked many given India’s dominance in the rivalry.
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Things briefly looked better in the opening T20I against England, where India posted 189 in 20 overs. But rain denied them a chance to defend the total, and the wait for Iyer’s first win as T20I captain continued. The second T20I of the five-match series will be played in Manchester on July 4, where India will be desperate to respond.
