Shreyas Iyer faces Gautam Gambhir test to become India's next T20 captain: Report

Shreyas Iyer may still miss out on India's T20 captaincy despite reportedly leading the race after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wielded the axe on 35-year-old Suryakumar Yadav on Wednesday. Suryakumar had openly expressed the ambition to lead the side to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but failed to back it up with batting numbers.

From January 1 2025 to March 2026, Suryakumar scored just 702 runs in 35 matches at an average of 26. He only amassed 270 runs in 13 IPL 2026 matches, forcing BCCI and selectors to look for other options as they build for the 2028 T20 World Cup and Olympics.

More from Firstcricket

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer, who played in the IPL 2024 with Kolkata Knight Riders and took Punjab Kings to the final last year, has emerged as the "most obvious" choice to replace SKY. But there's no guarantee yet.

Who will be India's next T20 captain?

Tilak Varma is also an option and BCCI is reportedly testing his abilities to make a final decision.

"Tilak has been made captain for the A series in Sri Lanka to check out his captaincy credentials," a BCCI source told news agency PTI on Wednesday.

According to the Times of India, Ishan Kishan, who led Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, is also in the captaincy race.

“Axar Patel was the vice-captain for the World Cup, Ishan Kishan has age, form and leadership credentials, and then there is Sanju Samson’s name doing the rounds. Samson has recency bias on his side, but his inconsistency has not pleased key stakeholders," a source told TOI.

The Telegraph has tweeted that Sanju Samson is also seen as a possible candidate and India coach Gautam Gambhir will have a final say.

"Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma are in the race to succeed Surya and it is understood that head coach Gautam Gambhir will have the final say. It is unclear if Surya has already been informed of the selectors’ decision," the Telegraph reported.

Will Gambhir pick Shreyas Iyer?

Now, Gambhir making the final decision is the main part. Gambhir and Shreyas Iyer worked together at KKR while winning IPL 2024, but they are not known for being close to each other. Iyer had even hinted that he wasn't given enough credit for winning the IPL.

That lack of a cordial relationship could come back to bite Shreyas Iyer, or it may not, as there's a high possibility Gambhir has moved on and wouldn't mind picking the Punjab Kings skipper if he feels the Mumbaikar is the right choice. But till the final decision is made, suspense will continue.