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Suryakumar Yadav’s elevation to full-time T20I captaincy marks a significant shift, placing his ODI career on hold for the time being. Recently appointed by the BCCI selection committee, he led India to victory in his maiden series as T20I captain against Sri Lanka.
Previously, he had already demonstrated his leadership skills by winning a series against Australia 4-1 as a stand-in captain on home turf. Despite these successes, Suryakumar’s future in ODI cricket appears uncertain following his new role in T20Is.
Aakash Chopra predicts Suryakumar Yadav will be omitted from Champions Trophy 2025 after being snubbed in ODIs.
In a recent press briefing, Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar clarified that Suryakumar Yadav is presently not under consideration for India’s ODI squad. Agarkar disclosed that Suryakumar’s name did not even come up during the team selection discussions for the upcoming ODI series in Sri Lanka.
Despite being a key figure in India’s 2023 ODI World Cup journey, Suryakumar finds himself sidelined as selectors focus on reintegrating players like KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant into the ODI setup. This strategic decision suggests that Suryakumar has temporarily slipped down the pecking order as selectors prioritize building a team for future tournaments.
Fueling speculation further, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has forecasted that Suryakumar may miss out on selection for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Chopra highlighted Suryakumar’s omission from the Sri Lanka tour ODI squad as a clear indication that he isn’t part of the selectors’ plans moving towards the Champions Trophy in 2025.
Aakash Chopra said in a video posted on his YouTube channel: “Suryakumar Yadav was a part of the team that reached the final of the last (2023 ODI) World Cup. He was part of this (2024 T20) World Cup as well, the David Miller catch he took, but he is now not part of the ODI team.”
Chopra added, “A question was asked about that, and he said that Suryakumar Yadav is a phenomenal and special player, but he will be seen playing in T20Is only and is currently not being considered in ODIs. So, if he is not being considered and the Champions Trophy is about to come, you can assume that Suryakumar Yadav won’t be seen there.”
Nevertheless, Chopra expressed optimism about Shubman Gill’s prospects for inclusion in India’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. He pointed to Gill’s recent appointment as vice-captain in the ODI format, which he believes significantly enhances Gill’s chances of securing a spot in the tournament lineup, especially after his absence from the T20 World Cup 2024 squad.
Chopra signed off by saying, “However, Shubman Gill will be seen there. He (Agarkar) said that he (Gill) is a three-format player, and Gautam (Gambhir) believes it’s not a bad thing if he can get three-format players. They have also liked his captaincy in the IPL and against Zimbabwe, and that’s why he has been made the ODI vice-captain.”
