Suryakumar Yadav's nightmare of a year has finally come to an end with the South Africa series. This year marks the worst year for him since his international debut, as the Indian veteran managed to score just 218 runs in his 19 innings at a strike rate of 123.2.

The India Men's Selection Committee announced the final 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, and the announcement had a bunch of surprises, especially in the axing of Shubman Gill, the former vice-captain of the team.

The squad comprises the return of two players: Rinku Singh, who replaced Shubman in the side, and the other is Ishan Kishan, replacing Jitesh Sharma in the squad. Axar Patel has been named the vice-captain of the side.

Shubman Gill's axing was an ultimatum for others in the Indian team

The Indian youngster, who has often been cited as the future of Indian cricket and has been named the Test and ODI captain as well, was left out of the 15-member squad for the World Cup. Shubman Gill's snub would be a statement for others in the team who are also undergoing a lean patch.

Shubman Gill, since his return to the Indian team ahead of the Asia Cup, has featured in 15 matches for India and could manage just 291 runs, with a strike rate of nearly 137. However, Gill was not the only player who was undergoing poor form; the captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has been having a more disappointing form with the bat.

In 19 innings played for India, Suryakumar could manage 218 runs at a strike rate of 123.2. It is also to be kept in mind that, unlike Shubman Gill, he plays just one format of the game. As per the latest reports from PTI, Suryakumar Yadav is also on the line to lose his spot if he continues his lean patch.

"Today it was Gill, tomorrow it could be Suryakumar Yadav"

This is known to all; had Suryakumar Yadav not been the skipper of the Indian side, he would have been the first player to be snubbed from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad. However, he would not have the privilege for long, as many players are on the line to break into India's T20I squad.

"SKY, who by virtue of being the skipper kept his place despite a horrific one-year run, while Gill suffered as his game when compared to opening partner Abhishek Sharma didn't seem that impactful," the report said.

"If Surya doesn't start scoring runs, he will be losing his voice in the dressing room and eventually his place because, anyone who knows Gambhir knows that for him, 'winning is not everything but the only thing.' Today it was Gill; tomorrow it could be Suryakumar Yadav," the report added.

Who will be India's next T20I captain?

Indian selectors and the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, have given multiple indications that they have already planned to move on from Suryakumar Yadav after the ICC T20 World Cup. The plans have been boosted by the Indian captain's poor form for over 14 months.

But who would be brought in as India's next T20I captain? Previously, they were depending on Shubman Gill as the all-format skipper; however, it is evident that Shubman's spot in the T20I XI is not permanent.

Axar Patel has been appointed as the vice-captain of the side, while Hardik Pandya also remains a part of the XI in the long run. India will have the option of Jasprit Bumrah as well; however, if injury proneness limits their chances, then Tilak Varma can be seen as a candidate who can be a T20I asset in the long run.