Shreyas Iyer’s Heroics Fall Short – Is the India Captaincy Dream Fading?
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Last year at Eden Gardens, Shreyas Iyer found himself in a challenging position as the Punjab Kings achieved the highest run chase in IPL history, effortlessly chasing down Kolkata Knight Riders’ total of 261 for six.
With Jonny Bairstow leading the charge with an explosive unbeaten 108, the Kings triumphed by eight wickets, a remarkable feat that surely devastated KKR fans. It is commendable that Iyer was able to unite his team and guide them to a third IPL title, a decade after their previous victory in 2014 under Gautam Gambhir.
Iyer's choice to leave KKR during the off-season allowed him to lead a new group of players at a different franchise. Once Punjab appointed Ricky Ponting as head coach, it became evident that they were determined to secure Iyer, both as a formidable batsman and as a captain, even if it required a significant investment of ₹26.75 crore, second only to the ₹27 crore spent by Lucknow Super Giants for Rishabh Pant in IPL history.
As the IPL 2025 season approaches its midpoint, the justification for Punjab’s investment is clear. Iyer ranks fourth in the Orange Cap standings, boasting an average of 62.50 and a strike rate of 204.91 from his 250 runs. More importantly, his team is positioned in the upper half of the table with four victories from six matches, the latest being an impressive win at their new home ground in Mullanpur, near Mohali.
After transitioning from KKR to PBKS, Iyer executed a remarkable strategy against his former team, successfully defending a total of 111—the lowest score to secure a win in the prestigious T20 league.
Why Shreyas Iyer may never become India captain
Historically, there has been no doubt regarding Iyer’s captaincy or leadership abilities. Contrary to common belief, captaincy and leadership are interconnected, yet distinctly different skill sets. A proficient captain does not automatically translate to an effective leader; they may possess tactical insight but lack in managing personnel. Iyer embodies the essential qualities required to unite superstars from diverse backgrounds in a high-pressure tournament like the IPL, yet he may still join the ranks of exceptional leaders who have never captained the national team.
Currently, the 30-year-old Mumbaikar is assured a position in the Indian XI in only one of the three international formats. His significant contribution as a sensible, versatile, and adaptable No. 4 was particularly evident during the recent 50-over Champions Trophy, where he successfully guided run-chases in both the semifinal and final, prompting Rohit Sharma to label him the ‘unsung hero.’ The missteps from 14 months ago, when he failed to appear for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy despite being fit and receiving multiple calls to participate, leading to his exclusion from the central contract list, have been largely overlooked. His return to the national team has been marked by a more humble demeanour, transforming him from the once-arrogant young player into someone who now commands respect and admiration.
Iyer's most recent engagement with Test cricket occurred in February 2024, and he has not participated in a T20I match since December 2023. Although Iyer, who serves as the T20I captain, may seem like an unlikely candidate at this moment—especially with Suryakumar Yadav, the current captain, performing admirably—there is a growing concern about how long the national selectors can disregard Iyer's batting prowess, if not his leadership abilities, as India evaluates its core team for the upcoming T20 World Cup at home next year.
Rohit's retirement from T20IS in June of last year paved the way for Suryakumar to assume leadership, despite initial expectations that Hardik Pandya, the then-deputy, would take over. Suryakumar, who has held the position of the world's top T20I batter for an extended period, has led with both style and confidence, even willing to relinquish his favoured No. 3 batting position for the benefit of the team, thereby enhancing India's reputation as a leading force in the 20-over format. It would require a series of unforeseen events for him not to lead India in the upcoming tournament; however, prudent teams always prepare for potential challenges. This alone should justify Iyer's return to the T20 format, possibly as Suryakumar's deputy for India's next short-format series in Bangladesh in August.
On Tuesday night, Iyer showcased his tactical insight and strategic brilliance, demonstrating his strong belief in his instincts and his commitment to maximising the performance of his struggling star, veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Captain Iyer is known for his eloquence; during a thrilling evening in Mullanpur, he once again proved his point, emphasising that India's continued neglect of his contributions could be detrimental to their success.
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