Shreyas Iyer Takes Charge as Captain of Indian T20I Team

Shreyas Iyer's New Role as T20I Captain

During an event in Mumbai on June 7, Shreyas Iyer expressed his thoughts on being appointed as the captain of the Indian T20I team. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced his selection, with the Ajit Agarkar-led committee also revealing the squad for the upcoming series against Ireland and England, as well as the 2026 Asian Games. Iyer steps in for Suryakumar Yadav, who previously led India to the 2026 T20 World Cup but was omitted from the squad for the next series following their championship win.

This new role reunites Iyer with head coach Gautam Gambhir, who previously mentored him during his successful stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2024. In response to his new responsibilities, Shreyas emphasized that he intends to remain true to himself and not conform to anyone else's expectations. He highlighted his competitive spirit, shaped by the challenges he faced growing up in Mumbai, a city known for its intense cricket culture.

"I have always embraced challenges, especially in a place like Mumbai where cricket is highly competitive. Every child dreams of representing Mumbai, and I faced numerous hurdles along the way. My focus has always been on winning against those challenges," Shreyas remarked while promoting the Kubani Premier League. He added, "Being appointed captain is a significant challenge, but I will maintain my authentic self and not try to emulate anyone else or live in their shadow."

Interestingly, Shreyas has not participated in T20I matches since December 2023 and was absent from both the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cup-winning teams. Nevertheless, he is now a strong candidate to lead India in the upcoming 2028 T20 World Cup and the 2026 Los Angeles Games. Additionally, he serves as the vice-captain of the Indian ODI team, which is under the leadership of Shubman Gill.