Shreyas Iyer is on the verge of completing a remarkable comeback in Indian cricket, with his appointment as India’s new T20I captain expected to be officially announced soon. After spending nearly 30 months out of the national T20 setup, Iyer has rebuilt his credentials through consistent performances and impressive leadership in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The right-handed batter has been among the most reliable performers in the IPL over the last two seasons, scoring more than 600 runs last year and nearly 500 this season. His leadership of Punjab Kings has further strengthened his case, earning praise for guiding and motivating a young squad. Former Australia captain and Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting has repeatedly highlighted Iyer’s leadership qualities and previously predicted that he would one day captain India in T20 internationals.
Iyer’s rise comes at a time when current T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav has struggled for form. The batter has endured a prolonged lean patch across international cricket, domestic tournaments, and the IPL, making it difficult to justify his continuation as captain. Reports suggest India head coach Gautam Gambhir is supportive of Iyer’s appointment, setting the stage for a potentially important partnership ahead of major events such as the next ICC T20 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Hardik Pandya is nearing full fitness after recovering from a back injury that sidelined him during part of the IPL season. He is expected to be available for India’s upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan, subject to clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
There are, however, fitness concerns surrounding senior players. Rohit Sharma, recovering from a hamstring injury, remains under observation, while Virat Kohli is reportedly doubtful for the Afghanistan ODIs after sustaining a hamstring injury during the IPL final. Both players were selected conditionally, pending fitness clearance.
