Suryakumar Yadav will not be T20I captain but his appointment clever decision: Scott Styris

Suryakumar Yadav, the newly-appointed T20I captain of India, is a 'short-term' option for the role, former New Zealand international Scott Styris has reckoned. Suryakumar was appointed India's new T20I captain ahead of Hardik Pandya after much discussion.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar later explained the decision and said the fitness and regular availability of Hardik was a concern, and therefore the world number two T20I batter got the nod ahead of him.

Scott Styris has opined that Suryakumar Yadav was handed the T20I captaincy after Rohit Sharma's retirement from the format due to lack of options. He added that young Shubman Gill has the potential to lead India for 10 years, but isn't ready for the big role yet.

"I think he's a short-term option. I don't think Gambhir has a natural captain amongst the players that he has right now," said Styris, speaking to India Today.

"He's buying himself time as to who will be the next long-term captain," continued Styris.

"You know, someone like Gill I think could do the job for 10 years for India, but he's not quite ready right now, so I think it was a really smart decision to bring in someone with a bit more experience," Styris added.

The former New Zealand all-rounder also suggested that Suryakumar Yadav produces good results, he might also lead India in the next T20 World Cup in 2026. India and Bangladesh will co-host the ICC showpiece event.

suryakumar-yadav-will-not-be-t20i-captain-but-his-appointment-clever-decision-scott-styris

"If he (SKY) does a decent enough job, then he might be the captain at the next T20 World Cup. And then after that, you can look at Gill or any of the other potential options around. But yeah, I think it's a really clever decision," said Styris.

Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir have got off to a cracking start to their respective stints by winning the first T20Is against Sri Lanka to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Overall, Surya has now won seven of his nine T20I matches as India T20I captain.