T20 World Cup 2026: Mohammad Kaif makes a big statement on the India squad
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has shared his views on the contrasting roles of Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill in India’s T20 setup, stressing that the two players should not be assessed using the same standards. Kaif believes that a player’s impact, experience, and proven ability to win matches must be taken into account when evaluating their place in the shortest format of the game. According to him, Suryakumar has repeatedly demonstrated his match-winning credentials in T20 cricket, often turning games around single-handedly with his innovative stroke play and fearless approach.
Mohammad Kaif talks about India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Mohammad Kaif explained that players who have already established themselves as consistent match-winners earn the right to extended backing from the team management, even during periods when runs are hard to come by. Temporary dips in form, he feels, should not immediately lead to questions over their selection. In contrast, younger or less proven players are often judged more strictly as they are still building their reputation at the international level. Through his remarks, Kaif highlighted the importance of context, experience, and past performances when making selection decisions, suggesting that patience with proven performers is crucial for maintaining stability and success in India’s T20 side.
Mohammad Kaif has backed the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s decision to exclude vice-captain Shubman Gill from India’s squad for the T20 World Cup while continuing to place faith in Suryakumar Yadav as the team’s captain. The former India batter acknowledged that both players endured difficult phases with the bat during the 2025 season, struggling to produce consistent performances in the shortest format. However, Kaif believes the selection call was justified, given Suryakumar’s experience and his established reputation as a proven match-winner in T20 cricket.
According to Kaif, leadership in high-pressure tournaments demands more than just recent form, and Suryakumar’s long-standing contributions at the international level set him apart. The Mumbai batter has previously delivered game-changing performances on the biggest stages, which, in Kaif’s view, makes him a more reliable option to lead the side despite a temporary dip in returns. Kaif also pointed out that Gill, while immensely talented, is still finding his footing in T20 cricket compared to his dominance in other formats. As a result, the selectors’ decision reflects a preference for experience, stability, and past impact when choosing leadership and squad composition for a global event as demanding as the T20 World Cup.
“There is a difference in the cases of Gill and Surya. Surya has been a proven match-winner in T20s. He has been on top of the ICC rankings and won games as well. We can't compare the two here. Gill had to prove himself in this format in the Indian team,” former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif said.
“Take Kohli for example, he did not score for those two years during COVID but because he had a great record and a match-winner for 10 years or so, you backed him on his reputation and he got out of that phase and started scoring again. Surya is also in this category. Gill is nowhere close to Surya in this format. Saying you should remove both if they are not in form is not right here. Surya has earned this,” he added.
Mohammad Kaif has emphasised that Suryakumar Yadav’s recent struggles with the bat deserve careful analysis, but not an immediate call for his exclusion from the Indian T20 side. The former India batter believes that form slumps are a natural part of a cricketer’s career, especially in a demanding format like T20 cricket, where even small margins can dictate outcomes. Kaif stressed that proven performers should be given the benefit of patience, as their ability to bounce back remains intact despite a temporary dip in returns.
At the same time, Kaif raised an important question regarding the added responsibility of leadership. He wondered whether Suryakumar’s role as captain might be placing extra mental pressure on him, which could be impacting his batting performances. According to Kaif, leading the team involves constant decision-making, strategic planning, and managing expectations, all of which can sometimes affect a player’s natural game. While he did not suggest any immediate change in leadership, Kaif felt this aspect was worth evaluating by the team management. His comments highlighted the need for balance, backing an experienced match-winner through a tough phase while also ensuring that leadership responsibilities do not hinder a player’s primary role as a batter.
