India cricket team’s newly-appointed T20I captain Shreyas Iyer has claimed that he won’t be under anyone’s shadow after being handed over the reins of the team. The Mumbai middle-order batter, who last featured in a T20I in 2023, replaced T20 World Cup 2026-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav as the captain ahead of the series against Ireland, England, and the Asian Games 2026. Iyer has maintained that he does not have to change his personality on being appointed as the new T20I skipper.
Shreyas Iyer breaks silence on becoming India’s new T20I captain
Speaking at an event, Shreyas Iyer said that he will have to be the same person as before, and will not be under someone else’s shadow as the captain of the Indian T20I team. Consistent performances in domestic cricket and in the IPL, apart from his leadership ability paved way for his ascension to the top. Despite not being a part of the T20 WC 2026 squad, Iyer managed to score 498 runs from 14 matches in IPL 2026, marking his second best IPL season.
“I don’t have to change my personality. I have to be the same person how I was before, and not try to be someone else or be under someone’s shadow,” Iyer said at an event,” Shreyas said.
As a captain, Iyer has been outstanding over the last three IPL seasons, having guided KKR to their third title in 2024, taking PBKS to the final in 2025 followed by another good season for the Kings in 2026.
| Mat | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 1104 | 74* | 30.66 | 136.12 | 8 | 90 | 44 |
Firing an indirect message to the selectors who ignored him so far in T20Is, Iyer said that his mindset was about winning, against everyone he challenged.
“My mindset was always about winning, against everyone that I challenged, so whether it’s about learning or winning that is secondary. But the more fun you have growing up, the more competitive nature you develop, especially while playing cricket or any other sport in general. I think that takes you to another level and makes you want to take that sort of responsibility. Even when I’ve got this job right now, or a responsibility as a captain, it’s a great challenge at the same time,” Iyer added.
Cricket
Shreyas Iyer ready to take charge, 'won't be under someone's shadow' as India T20I captain
Jasprit Bumrah doesn't commit to India enough? T20I absence after IPL 2026 confuses Sanjay Manjrekar
