India cricket team is all set to enter a new era in the shortest format of the game, with Shreyas Iyer beginning his stint as the T20I captain on Friday. The Mumbai batter will play his first game as the skipper in the IND vs IRE 1st T20I after taking over the reins of the side from Suryakumar Yadav earlier last month. During India’s final practice session in Belfast on Thursday ahead of the first T20I, Iyer delivered his maiden address to the team in a huddle and explained what he expected from his team.
Shreyas Iyer’s maiden address to Team India as T20I captain
Addressing the team huddle, Shreyas stressed for the need to build a solid culture where every member was protecting and supporting their teammates going forward while noting that this was his first opportunity to lead the Indian team. He emphasised that it was important for the team to have fun as much as possible while playing a match. Iyer urged Team India to play like lions, and approach each and every game with the motive of winning it and have an atmosphere where the members are uplifting each other and enjoying the success of the teammates.
“I just want to say let’s try and build a solid culture going forward. It’s my first opportunity as a captain for the Indian team and definitely an honour and privilege. It is a great respect as well to be leading the country. So, going forward i just want to build a culture where all of us are protecting, supporting each other through thick and thin. And more importantly, when we are out here playing the match, have as much fun as possible. It’s play like lions and approach each and every game like we are going to go win it and play to the best of our abilities,” Shreyas Iyer said.
The Mumbai batter has been rewarded for his prolific captaincy over the last three years, having led KKR to their third title in 2024, Mumbai to Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2025, PBKS to two consecutive IPL playoffs, including a final in 2025 and 2026. Besides, he has been pretty good with the bat as well, having scored 498 runs from 14 matches in IPL 2026.
