Shreyas Iyer Likely To Captain India T20Is Against Ireland And England

Shreyas Iyer is reportedly set to take over as captain of the Indian T20I team for the upcoming series against Ireland and England, in a significant leadership reshuffle being considered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). According to a report by Dainik Jagran, the decision is expected to be formalised during an online meeting of the BCCI Apex Council, where key changes to the team’s leadership structure are likely to be discussed.

The report claims that Suryakumar Yadav, who recently led India in the T20 format, could be removed from the captaincy role despite guiding the side to success in major tournaments. The move, if confirmed, would be communicated to him during the scheduled meeting. Under the proposed changes, Tilak Varma is expected to replace Axar Patel as the new vice-captain, signalling a broader shift towards younger leadership options within the squad.

Sources cited in the report suggest that India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir had initially backed Sanju Samson for the T20I captaincy role. However, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar reportedly did not support the proposal. Some members of the selection committee are also said to have raised concerns about Samson’s consistency, arguing that he may not yet be ready for long-term leadership responsibilities at the international level.

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While Samson played a notable role in India’s T20 World Cup campaign, selectors reportedly believe that his leadership credentials are still developing. The internal discussions indicate a preference for a more established domestic and IPL captaincy record when considering future leadership candidates, particularly with multiple major tournaments on the horizon.

Shreyas Iyer’s elevation comes after a strong domestic and IPL run, where he led Punjab Kings to the final of the 2025 season. Despite a strong start in the subsequent season, his team narrowly missed the playoffs after a late slump, though his individual performance remained consistent. He reportedly scored 498 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 168.81, including a century and five half-centuries, reinforcing his credentials as a leading batter in the format.

The report also notes that there were no active discussions regarding a recall for Rajat Patidar despite his strong performances and leadership success in the IPL. The proposed changes, if approved, would mark a significant transition in India’s T20 leadership group, with selectors reportedly aiming to build a stable core ahead of upcoming international assignments.

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