Shreyas Iyer (Image source: AFP photo)
New Chandigarh: Shreyas Iyer tasted the IPL captaincy for the first time in turbulent conditions. In an awkward press conference midway through the 2018 season, flanked by head coach Ricky Ponting, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) star Gautam Gambhir stepped down due to the team’s dismal form and embarrassing run.
Gambhir announced Iyer as his successor.Iyer continued to shine as a captain and batsman under Ponting at Capitals before moving to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022, when the Delhi franchise handed over the captaincy to Rishabh Pant. He reunited with Gambhir at KKR in 2024 and led the franchise to the IPL title. This victory saw Gambhir promoted to India’s head coach within a month, and Ayer leaving the franchise.
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Even as Gambhir went to great lengths to reshape India’s T20I setup, Iyer remained out of contention.
Turbulence has followed his career though with continued consistency. Now reunited with Ponting at Punjab Kings – both scarred from their exit from the Capitals – Iyer is stimulating a campaign that could knock on the door of T20 champion Gambhir’s unit.On Sunday evening here, he will face Iyer Pant, who now leads the Lucknow Super Giants and is locked in an uphill battle to regain his place in India after being sidelined after a victorious T20 World Cup campaign in 2024.
But Iyer’s race is no longer against Pant. World Cup winning captain
Suryakumar Yadav
The country’s long recession has led to one of the toughest phases for Gambhir and the selection committee.Sources told TOI that Iyer is the most obvious replacement for Surya if the selectors decide to move on. His authority at number four in T20 cricket is unparalleled in Indian cricket at present. The selectors showed little leniency to Pant and Shubman Gill in the format.
But conviction about Syria’s successor – especially as a leader – remains key.
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“Iyer last played a T20I in 2023. He was not part of the current set-up. It is a big call to bring him back and hand over the captaincy immediately,” a BCCI source told TOI. “The focus has shifted towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, which has given the selectors breathing room to plan the T20I captaincy transition.”In the Kings of Punjab, Iyer was ranked as the sarpanch. His boastful and easy-going demeanor matches the aura.
It stems from self-awareness. Bowling coach James Hobbs, a mainstay at Ponting since his Capitals days, has seen a brilliant 23-year-old develop into a 31-year-old leader in full command.“He is very aware of his perceived weaknesses over the years. This season has come after he has really overcome them. When he was injured in Australia (in October last year), he had started to overcome them in international cricket as well,” Hoops said here on Saturday.
“Once he finds his way back into the Indian team, you will see the batsman he will be for the rest of his career. The captain is improving his batting,” Hopps added.Iyer has always been in the comfort zone around Ponting. As a leader, there is no need to hold hands anymore. “He was very young when he was captaining the Delhi team. He planned very well, but he still followed his instincts,” Hobbs said.“Ricky and Shreyas work well together. When we go into our meetings, he is the leader. He steps forward, has his own ideas, and is willing to listen,” he added.Iyer is already the vice-captain of the ODI team. It is about how the Indian team management and selectors can find a place for him in the T20 team.