Former India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav remains hopeful of forcing his way back into the national team after losing his place, saying his immediate focus is on continuing to work hard and staying ready for another opportunity.
The 35-year-old found himself out of India’s plans only a few months after captaining the side to its third T20 World Cup crown and a second successive title.
His prolonged dip in batting form is understood to have contributed to the decision, with the selectors also keeping the next two-year World Cup cycle in mind.
Suryakumar, who was once ranked the world’s No. 1 T20I batter, has struggled to reproduce his best form consistently in recent months. His difficulties continued during this year’s Indian Premier League, where he endured an underwhelming campaign.
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Asked about the possibility of returning to the India side, Suryakumar said he was concentrating on the factors within his control.
“Look, I’m putting in all the hard work and doing everything I can. If things go well, then everything will fall into place,” said Suryakumar, who is the brand ambassador of the Pro Govinda League.
Despite his absence from the national set-up, Suryakumar continues to be an important part of Mumbai Indians’ batting unit in the IPL.
His most recent appearances for India in the longer formats came in 2023, when he last featured in both Tests and ODIs.
(With inputs from PTI).
Published on Aug 27, 2026
