The announcement of India’s squad for the upcoming T20I tours of Ireland and England has continued to spark debate in the cricket world. Selection committee was formed under the chairmanship of Ajit Agarkartook several bold decisions including replacing Suryakumar Yadav as captain with Shreyas Iyer And the former captain was completely dropped from the team.
While the selectors have already stated that these changes are part of India’s next plan t20 world cup Cycle, former Indian selector MSK Prasad A contrasting viewpoint has been presented. Prasad believes Suryakumar is included in India’s plans and suggested that the star batsman has been effectively rested rather than dropped.
MSK Prasad made a shocking claim on the ouster of Suryakumar Yadav.
Suryakumar’s boycott comes after a tough IPL 2026 campaign Mumbai Indians (MI)Where he could score only 270 runs in 13 matches. His struggles in T20I cricket last year, coupled with fitness concerns, reportedly influenced the selectors’ decision to go in a different direction.
However, Prasad admitted that he was finding it difficult to understand why the World Cup-winning captain would be removed from both the leadership role and the team so soon after lifting the trophy. According to the former chief selector, the India management might have opted to give Suryakumar a break along with other senior players Jasprit Bumrah And hardik pandya.
“You can’t remove your World Cup-winning captain like this and that too in the next international match. Jasprit Bumrah has been rested and so has Hardik Pandya. I am sure, Surya has also been rested. He is too good and too big a player to be dropped. The selectors have rested all three. It is interesting to see that all three, Suryakumar, Hardik and Bumrah have been the No. 1 players in the ICC rankings for a long time. Bumrah is still at No. 1. So, there is no harm. I am resting all three of them and I am sure they will be back in the team soon.” Prasad told PTI.
Also read: Sanjay Manjrekar questions India’s T20I captaincy after replacing Suryakumar Yadav with Shreyas Iyer
Former selector raised questions on the exclusion of Rajat Patidar
Apart from Suryakumar’s absence, Prasad was equally surprised when Rajat Patidar Was not included in the T20 team. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) The captain enjoyed another excellent IPL season, contributing heavily with the bat to lead his team to their second consecutive title.
Patidar scored 501 runs in 14 innings at an average of 41.75 and an excellent strike rate of 192.69. Despite those figures, the middle-order batsman failed to earn a maiden T20I call-up. Prasad felt this was the ideal time for India to reward Patidar’s performance and leadership abilities.
“I am really surprised. If not now then when? He has done very well as a player and has been a match-winner. He has led RCB to two consecutive IPL titles. He is in tremendous form and is full of confidence. It was the right time to give him a chance. But I am sure the selectors have some ideas for him. He can be given a chance in a bigger and tougher series or tournament.” Prasad said.
