Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy might be under threat, as per former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer, if he doesn’t start scoring runs. This notion has come after Test captain Shubman Gill was named the vice-captain of the Indian T20I team ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 tournament.

The subcontinent showcase is expected to serve as a prelude to the crucial T20 World Cup in six months, when the Asia Cup gets underway tomorrow. Gill is waiting in the wings, but Surya will probably captain the team when they play at home the next season.

Wasim Jaffer, a former batter for Mumbai and India, thinks Surya's captaincy may be in jeopardy if he doesn't get back among runs. Surya has 2598 runs in 83 T20Is for India with four centuries and 21 fifties with a best score of 117 and a strike rate of 167.07.

As captain, Suryakumar has scored 558 runs in 22 games with one ton and four fifties, and in the most recent T20I series against England, he managed only 28 runs in five games with two ducks to his name.

"His numbers dropping (while leading India) is a worry. His not getting the runs is a concern. In the last few internationals he played, he was looking to score mostly behind square on the leg side. His shot selection was not up to the mark. But he has since worked on his game, and as we saw, he was a completely different player in the IPL," Jaffer told the Times of India.

"He started scoring on the offside as well. When Surya plays shots all around the wicket, there’s not much the bowlers can do. He is very dangerous. Then there isn’t margin for the bowlers. He has done well in the IPL; hopefully, that should continue,” he added.

Suryakumar Yadav managed to turn things around in IPL 2025, where he slammed 717 runs in 14 games with five fifties and crossed 25 runs in all the innings.

Gill's recovery means that Suryakumar might not have to deal with him right away, but he shouldn't take that for granted, Jaffer says.

"Every tour, every series, you have a vice-captain. It doesn't mean the captain is under threat. Selectors have made it clear—Bumrah can't play every series, so he's out. Hardik? They’re not looking at him for now. That leaves Shubman and maybe Shreyas when he is back. On the contrary, experienced heads like Hardik, Bumrah, and Shubman will only help in crunch situations, but at the end of the day, Surya must make the tough calls," he added.

Suryakumar will lead India in the Asia Cup, with their tournament starting on September 10 against the UAE. India will play Pakistan on September 14 and Oman on September 19.