Suryakumar Yadav Wanted This Player for Sri Lanka Series Instead of Riyan Parag; BCCI Denied Due to This Reason

India’s T20I squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, starting July 27, sees a notable change in leadership with Suryakumar Yadav appointed as the new captain following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the shortest format. The 15-member squad also features Shubman Gill as the vice-captain, and includes players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and Mohd. Siraj.

The squad selection has been influenced by injuries and recent performances. Tilak Varma, who was initially considered for the series, has been sidelined due to an injury, leading to Riyan Parag’s inclusion. Parag, who made his T20I debut during the Zimbabwe series, has impressed selectors with his all-round capabilities and recent improvement in game awareness. According to The Times of India, a BCCI source mentioned, “Parag is highly talented and has improved his attitude towards the game by several notches. He’s now looking to stay at the wicket. To add to his value, he can bowl decently and is a terrific fielder to boot. The selectors want to nurture him for the future.”

Despite Tilak Varma’s absence, his promising T20I record—336 runs from 15 innings, including two fifties, at an average of 33.60 and a strike rate of 139.42—suggests he remains a key prospect for the Indian team. Additionally, Mumbai Indians’ IPL star Nuwan Thushara has been ruled out of the T20Is due to injury, further affecting team dynamics. The series under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership marks a new phase for the Indian team as they look to build on recent performances and integrate emerging talent into their setup.