T20 World Cup 2026 / Jay Shah Calls Rohit Sharma 'Our Captain' Ahead of T20 World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav Present

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is set to commence on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. Team India will enter the tournament as the defending champions, led by the current T20 captain, Suryakumar Yadav. However, a recent statement by ICC Chairman Jay Shah, referring to former captain Rohit Sharma as 'our captain' at an event just before the World Cup, has sparked considerable discussion in the cricketing fraternity, while this remark was made in the presence of Suryakumar Yadav, adding a unique layer to the narrative surrounding Indian cricket's leadership.

Jay Shah's Resounding Endorsement of Rohit Sharma

Recently, the Reliance Foundation organized a significant event in Mumbai. The primary objective of this ceremony was to honor India's World Champion teams across various formats. Among the teams felicitated were Rohit Sharma's T20 World Cup champion squad, Harmanpreet Kaur's Women's World Champion team, and Deepti KC's Blind Women's World Champion team, while the event saw the attendance of the World Cup-winning captains and a majority of their respective players. Jay Shah, who was then the BCCI Secretary, was also a prominent figure at this gathering. Notably, Suryakumar Yadav, the current T20 captain, was also present, symbolizing the continuity and future aspirations of Indian cricket. When it was Jay Shah's turn to address the gathering on stage, he made a striking statement that caught everyone's attention. He referred to Rohit Sharma as 'our captain,' explaining his reasoning clearly. Shah stated, “Our captain is sitting here. I will call him captain only because he has won 2 trophies. ” He further elaborated by recalling his past comments made in the context of the 2023 World Cup, saying, “In 2023 (World Cup), after 10 consecutive wins, we won hearts but not the trophy. In February 2024, I said in Rajkot that this time we will win both hearts and the cup. ” This powerful endorsement from Shah underscored Rohit Sharma's significant contributions and leadership in securing two major ICC titles for India, even as the team transitions to new leadership in T20s.

Rohit Sharma's Unforgettable Legacy and Trophy Haul

Under Rohit Sharma's captaincy, the Indian team etched a new chapter in its cricketing history. He first led India to the T20 World Cup 2024 title, a momentous victory that marked India's first ICC trophy since 2013. This triumph was a long-awaited relief for Indian cricket fans, ending a decade-long drought. Following this success, in March 2025, Team India, still under Rohit's astute leadership, clinched the Champions Trophy as well. These back-to-back major tournament victories not only brought an end to the prolonged wait for an ICC title but also initiated a new winning streak for Indian cricket. Rohit had announced his retirement from T20 cricket after the last World Cup, making his achievements even more significant as a fitting farewell to his T20 international captaincy.

Suryakumar Yadav: Carrying the Torch and Defending the Title

With Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20s, the mantle of continuing this winning streak now rests on Suryakumar Yadav. The upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 holds immense significance for him and the entire Indian team, while the tournament will be played on home soil, across India and Sri Lanka, presenting a unique opportunity for India to defend its title in front of its passionate home crowd. This is a crucial challenge for Suryakumar Yadav, who is tasked with maintaining the high standards set by his predecessor. India has the chance to become the first team to win the T20 World Cup at home, and Suryakumar Yadav could potentially become the first captain to achieve this historic feat, while the expectations from fans and the cricketing fraternity will be immense, making this tournament a true test of his leadership and the team's collective strength.

Conclusion: A New Era with High Hopes

The blend of past glory under Rohit Sharma and the future aspirations under Suryakumar Yadav creates an exciting dynamic for Indian cricket. Jay Shah's comments, while acknowledging Rohit's monumental achievements, also subtly highlight the high bar set for the current leadership, while as the T20 World Cup 2026 approaches, all eyes will be on Suryakumar Yadav and his team to see if they can continue the winning momentum and bring another ICC trophy home, solidifying India's position as a dominant force in world cricket.

Jay Shah 🗣️: “our captain Rohit Sharma is sitting here. I am still calling you captain because under you, we won two ICC trophies”.

Jay Shah is grateful to Rohit Sharma for ending the drought of ICC trophies for India 🥹🇮🇳pic.twitter.com/7xjVZdjkwQ

— Kusha Sharma  (@Kushacritic) January 8, 2026