IND v ENG 2025: "Why would it hurt?" Suryakumar Yadav reacts to his Champions Trophy snub

Surya was asked about his Champions Trophy snub on the eve of T20I series against England.

Suryakumar Yadav was handed India’s T20I captaincy after Rohit Sharma retired from the shortest format last year. Under his leadership, the Men in Blue have won their first three series against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and South Africa.

India’s next assignment is the five-match T20I series against England at home, starting on January 22 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

On the eve of the series opener, Suryakumar addressed a press conference, where he talked about his Champions Trophy snub.

Surya was asked at if not getting selected for the ODIs hurts. To which, the Indian T20I captain gave a measured response.

"Why would it hurt?" he replied. "If I do well, I would have been in the Champions Trophy. If I don't do well, it's important to accept that."

While Suryakumar has established himself as one of India’s leading T20 stars, he has failed to replicate the same performance in the 50-over format, where he averages 25.76 after playing 37 matches.

Surya added: "At the same time, if you see the squad, it's looking really good. Whoever is there, they are all good performers. They have done relatively well in that format for India and also playing domestic cricket, and I am very happy for them. It hurts to think that I have not done well. If I had done well, I would have stayed there."

Talking about Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami possibly reuniting in the Champions Trophy once again to hunt as a pair, Surya said the duo is a "lethal combination".

While Bumrah has been picked for the Champions Trophy, his participation in the ICC showpiece will be decided after assessment of the back injury in early February. The Indian pace spearhead sustained the injury during the Sydney Test against Australia earlier this month.

"They have played a lot of cricket together. They are experienced bowlers. And whenever you play for India, it's a different feeling, different emotion. So it will be fun to see them bowling together again, like we saw in the 2023 ODI World Cup. They bowled really well. And hopefully, we will see the same bowling in the Champions Trophy," Surya concluded.

The T20I series against England will be followed by three ODIs, which will be a dress rehearsal for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, slated to be held in Pakistan and UAE from February 19 to March 9.