India’s next T20I captain is the next big question in front of the larger cricket community in the country. Suryakumar Yadav’s prolonged dip in form has created uncertainty in India’s T20 leadership structure, with the back-to-back Men’s T20 World Cup champions looking to defend their crown in two years’ time.
Shreyas Iyer has emerged as a plausible option.
“Iyer last played a T20I in 2023. He has not been part of the current setup. It’s a big call to bring him back and hand him the captaincy straightaway,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying to TOI.
“The focus has shifted towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, which has given selectors breathing space to plan for a T20I leadership transition,” the source added.
Shreyas Iyer’s IPL Captaincy Journey
Shreyas’ journey as a captain in the Indian
Premier League (IPL) began in difficult circumstances in 2018, when Gautam Gambhir stepped down midway through a poor season for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and handed over the reins to the young batter.
Under Ricky Ponting’s guidance, Iyer developed into a composed leader and dependable middle-order batter, laying the foundation for his reputation in franchise cricket.
His move to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2022 brought further success, culminating in an IPL title in 2024, a triumph that enhanced his standing as a captain capable of delivering under pressure.
Despite these achievements, Iyer’s international T20 career has been anything but stable. Even as Gambhir transitioned into India’s head coach and reshaped the T20I setup, Iyer remained outside the core group. Now, reunited with Ponting at Punjab Kings, he is once again making a strong case for a comeback, both as a batter and as a potential leader.
At Punjab Kings, Iyer has embraced a confident persona, earning the nickname “sarpanch” for his authoritative yet relaxed leadership style.
Already India’s ODI vice-captain, Iyer’s next challenge is to break back into the T20 setup, as selectors weigh long-term leadership options for the future.
