Suryakumar Yadav's Humorous Take on IPL Batting Order Query

Suryakumar Yadav recently entertained fans with a humorous response to Tilak Varma's question about batting at number 3 in the IPL. He cleverly noted that he is no longer the captain of the Mumbai Indians and suggested Varma ask Hardik Pandya instead. This exchange highlights the dynamics within the team as they prepare for the upcoming season. With Pandya now leading MI after Rohit Sharma's departure, the team is looking to improve on their previous performances. The excitement builds as MI gears up to face the Kolkata Knight Riders on March 29.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 22, 2026, 06:38 IST

Suryakumar Yadav Responds to Tilak Varma's IPL Query

During a recent event, Suryakumar Yadav showcased his wit when Tilak Varma inquired about his potential batting position at number 3 in the IPL. Suryakumar humorously replied that he is not the captain of the Mumbai Indians anymore, suggesting that Varma should direct his question to Hardik Pandya instead. "Pata nahi, ab IPL me main to nahi hoon captain, I think tujhe Hardik se puchhna padega (I don’t know. I am no longer your captain in the IPL. I think you will have to ask Hardik)," he stated.

As the captain of India's T20I team, Suryakumar led the Men in Blue to victory in the 2026 World Cup, but he plays under Hardik Pandya's leadership in the IPL. Pandya, who was released by MI, took over as captain of the Gujarat Titans (GT) in their inaugural season in 2022, leading them to a remarkable championship win. In IPL 2023, GT reached the finals but fell short against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

After a surprising decision to leave GT before IPL 2024, Pandya returned to MI, which had recently dismissed their long-time captain Rohit Sharma. Rohit, who had led India to a World Cup victory in 2024, was replaced by Pandya. Both Suryakumar and Rohit now play under Pandya's captaincy, although MI has yet to reach an IPL final under his leadership. In IPL 2024, MI failed to advance past the initial rounds, and while they won the eliminator in 2025, they were eliminated by the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the second qualifier. The MI management is optimistic about Pandya's performance in the upcoming IPL season, which begins against the Kolkata Knight Riders on March 29.