Shreyas Iyer Appointed as India's New T20I Captain

In a significant move, Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as India's new T20I captain, taking over from Suryakumar Yadav. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar praised Iyer's leadership qualities and consistent performances, emphasizing his readiness for the role. Alongside Iyer, Tilak Varma has been named vice-captain, marking a new chapter for the Indian cricket team. The upcoming fixtures include a T20I series against Ireland and a five-match series in England, followed by participation in the Asian Games. This leadership change comes as India looks to build a strong team for future competitions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 6, 2026, 21:05 IST

Shreyas Iyer Takes the Helm

Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector of the BCCI, has expressed his admiration for Shreyas Iyer's leadership skills and consistent performance, labeling him a "well-deserving captain" following his appointment as India's new T20I skipper on Saturday.

The BCCI has officially named Shreyas Iyer as the captain for the T20I format, succeeding Suryakumar Yadav, who led the team to a remarkable victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup earlier this year. Under Yadav's leadership, India became the first nation to defend the T20 World Cup title successfully, achieving this milestone on home soil.

Agarkar's Insights on Iyer's Leadership

During the announcement of India's squad for the upcoming T20I series against England and Ireland, as well as the Asian Games, Agarkar highlighted that Iyer's selection was influenced by team strategy and the recent performances of players. He noted Iyer's extensive experience in leading various IPL teams, including his success in finals and his ability to manage challenging seasons, which positions him well for the national captaincy.

"Shreyas has demonstrated his capabilities over the past few years, leading different franchises and winning finals. He has faced various challenges, including a tough IPL season this year after a strong start. His individual performances have also been commendable, and he was close to making the World Cup squad. While it was a difficult decision to replace Suryakumar, especially after winning the World Cup, we felt reassessing our strategy for the next two years was necessary. Thus, we believe Shreyas is the right choice for captain," Agarkar stated.

Tilak Varma as Vice-Captain

Agarkar also announced Tilak Varma as the vice-captain of the T20I team, praising him as a "terrific player" who will benefit from the leadership experience. He emphasized that Varma's position in the team is secure, despite batting lower in the order during the World Cup due to the presence of two wicketkeepers.

"Tilak's role as vice-captain will provide him with valuable learning opportunities, and we have no doubts about his abilities as a player, which is the primary consideration," Agarkar added.

Upcoming Matches for India

India's limited-overs campaign will kick off with a two-match T20I series against Ireland in Belfast on June 26 and 28. Following this, the team will head to England for a five-match T20I series scheduled from July 1 to 11. Additionally, the men's T20 cricket event at the Asian Games in Japan is set to take place from September 24 to October 3, featuring ten teams, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan.