Shreyas Iyer's Remarkable Comeback: From Exclusion to Key Player Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Shreyas Iyer's Journey: A Tale of Resilience
Shreyas Iyer last represented India in a T20 International in December 2023 and has not featured in the Test squad since February 2024. Despite his talent, he was never considered for the vice-captaincy. His career can be divided into two distinct phases: before and after the BCCI removed him from its central contract list in February 2024. Although he showcased moments of brilliance, inconsistency plagued his performances, especially in longer formats. While he had a commendable showing in the ODI World Cup, his overall records in Tests and T20Is left much to be desired.
However, a transformation occurred following his exclusion. Iyer returned with a refreshed approach and mindset. During IPL 2024, he adopted a bold and aggressive playing style, marking a significant shift from his earlier game. His domestic season was nothing short of spectacular. In the Ranji Trophy, he boasted an impressive average of 68.57, including a remarkable double century, a notable achievement considering his career average was below 50 at that time.
In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Iyer maintained an average of 50 with an astonishing strike rate of 188. He continued this dominance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, amassing 325 runs in five matches, getting out only once, and achieving a strike rate of 131.58.
Then came the Champions Trophy, where Iyer emerged as India's top batsman, outshining prominent players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill. This stellar performance was instrumental in reinstating him in the BCCI’s central contracts.
His excellent form persisted into IPL 2025, where he once again established himself as one of the league's premier batters. Nevertheless, his omission from the Test squad for the England series drew considerable backlash.
With the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, Iyer is firmly back in contention. After leading KKR to an IPL victory and guiding Punjab Kings to their second final, along with consistently impressive batting displays, it is becoming increasingly difficult for selectors to overlook him. His return to both the T20I and Test teams seems not only plausible but likely.
Insights from a BCCI Source
“Currently, he is only playing ODIs, but after this IPL, we cannot exclude him from T20 internationals and even Tests,”