Discussion on Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy intensifies, he is in the race to become the T20 captain of Team India, but first the challenge is to prove himself.

News India Live, Digital Desk: The name of Shreyas Iyer is once again being heard in the corridors of Indian cricket. Iyer, who is making headlines with his captaincy and batting in IPL 2026, is being seen as the next T20 captain of Team India. However, experts believe that before wearing the captaincy crown, Shreyas will have to completely secure himself on the personal performance front. Amidst the increasing competition in the Indian team, it no longer seems possible to make a place on the basis of captaincy skills alone.

Leading in the captaincy race, but under pressure of performance

The leadership qualities that Shreyas Iyer has shown for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL have impressed the selectors. He is known for taking decisions by remaining calm under pressure. But, when it comes to Team India, there are many contenders vying for a place in the middle order. If we look at the statistics, Iyer has so far this season 208 runs Has scored, which includes 3 half-centuries. However, his strike rate and consistency have often been questioned. Experts say that if he wants to become the captain, he will have to play the role of match winner with the bat also.

Tough battle for ‘middle order’ in Team India

Currently, in the Indian T20 setup, Shreyas Iyer is facing tough competition from stalwarts like Tilak Verma, Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav. According to the latest data of IPL 2026, Tilak Verma has strengthened his claim on the basis of excellent average and century innings. In such a situation, the challenge for Shreyas is not only to lead the team but also to make his place in the playing eleven undisputed. Sources close to BCCI believe that the selectors are looking for a captain who can set an example with his performance on the field.

Will Iyer become the leader of the future?

Some upcoming matches are going to prove to be decisive for Shreyas Iyer. His captaincy style is aggressive and he knows how to win the trust of the players. If he reaches his personal score by the end of the season 400-500 runs If he crosses the threshold, then the path to captaincy of Team India can be cleared for him. At present, the prevailing opinion in the cricket world is that ‘first cement your place as a player, you are already capable of being a captain’. Now it remains to be seen how Shreyas deals with this double challenge.