Suryakumar Yadav clears air on fake remark amid Zimbabwe tour snub

Former India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has dismissed a viral statement that falsely claimed he felt disrespected after being removed as India's T20I captain and dropped from the national team. Calling the post fake, Suryakumar urged fans not to believe false information circulating on social media. He also wished Team India the very best for its upcoming matches.

Suryakumar has not been included in India's recent T20I squads for the Ireland series, the ongoing England tour, or the upcoming Zimbabwe tour. Despite missing out on selection, the star batter made it clear that his support for the Indian team remains unchanged and that he continues to back the players wholeheartedly.

Meanwhile, the Shreyas Iyer-led Indian team is currently touring England for a five-match T20I series. After the opening match at Chester-le-Street was washed out due to rain, India trail the series 1-0 after losing the second T20I by four wickets. As Team India continues its campaign, Suryakumar has encouraged fans to ignore fake posts and continue supporting the national side.

What was the viral fake remark about Suryakumar Yadav?

Suryakumar Yadav recently responded to a fake statement that had been widely shared on social media. The viral post falsely claimed that the former India T20I captain had criticised the BCCI after being removed as captain and dropped from the T20I squad. Suryakumar made it clear that he never made or authorised any such statement and urged fans not to believe or share unverified posts.

The rumours gained momentum after the BCCI appointed a new T20I captain and left Suryakumar out of India's recent squads, including the tour of Zimbabwe. Several social media posts falsely quoted him as saying that he had been treated unfairly despite helping India win the T20 World Cup. However, there was no official statement from Suryakumar making such remarks.

The 35-year-old also made headlines after another fake post claimed that he had questioned the BCCI for leaving both him and Sanju Samson out of the squad. The post quickly went viral across social media and several online platforms. However, Suryakumar dismissed all such claims, stating that the remarks were fake and asking fans not to spread misinformation.

Suryakumar Yadav's full statement: What he actually said

Suryakumar Yadav issued a statement on social media to dismiss the fake remarks being circulated in his name. He clarified that he had never made or approved the viral statement and urged fans not to believe or share unverified information. "I've also noticed a statement being circulated online that has been falsely attributed to me. I want to make it clear that I have not made or authorised any such statement. Please don't believe or share unverified information," he wrote.

The former India T20I captain also expressed his full support for the national team despite being left out of recent squads. "I know the boys are giving it their all, and they will always have my full support," he said. Suryakumar also praised young batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi on his senior India debut against England, saying, "A special word for Vaibhav—you're at the start of what promises to be a very exciting journey. Enjoy every moment and keep making the country proud."

Concluding his message, the T20 World Cup-winning skipper reaffirmed his commitment to Indian cricket and his teammates. "My support for Indian cricket, my teammates, and the game will always speak louder than words falsely attributed to me," he wrote. With this statement, he put an end to the speculation surrounding the fake posts and made it clear that he remains fully committed to supporting Team India.

Why was Suryakumar Yadav left out of India's Zimbabwe squad?

Suryakumar Yadav was not included in India's squad for the Zimbabwe T20I series after also missing the recent Ireland and England tours. The decision came despite the 35-year-old leading India to the 2026 T20 World Cup title earlier this year. The selectors also removed him as India's T20I captain, with Shreyas Iyer taking over the role. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said the change was made with an eye on the future.

One of the reasons behind Suryakumar's omission was his recent form with the bat. During the 2026 T20 World Cup, he scored 242 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 136.72, including one unbeaten half-century against the USA. He also had a below-par IPL 2026 season for the Mumbai Indians, which reportedly influenced the selectors' decision.

Despite the recent setback, Suryakumar remains one of India's best T20 batters. He has played 113 T20Is, scoring 3,272 runs at a strike rate of 162.94, with four centuries and 25 half-centuries. India will begin its three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe in Harare on July 23, with matches also scheduled for July 25 and July 26.