Shreyas Iyer makes defiant statement after being named India T20 captain, insists he won't play 'under someone’s shadow'

A couple of days after being unveiled as India's new T20I captain, Shreyas Iyer has defiantly stated that he will not be changing his personality nor will he be carrying out his responsibilities as a leader "under someone else's shadow".

Iyer's comment comes days after India's squad announcement for the upcoming T20 assignments in the United Kingdom as well as the Asian Games, the former getting underway later this month. Not only was the Punjab Kings skipper recalled to the T20I fold for the first time since December 2023, he also replaced Suryakumar Yadav as the captain.

Also Read | Shreyas Iyer handed India's T20 baton: How the senior batter was elected captain despite a three-year absence

"I don’t have to change my personality. I have to be the same person how I was before, and not try to be someone else or be under someone’s shadow,” the 31-year-old said at an event in Mumbai on Monday.

More from Firstcricket

"I obviously loved challenges growing up, especially being from Mumbai, where the cricket is pretty big, competition is high. Every other kid on the street, they want to represent Mumbai," he continued.

'My mindset was always about winning'

Iyer's elevation to India T20I captaincy ahead of other candidates such as Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill as well as Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan follows a successful run as leader in the Indian Premier League, where he is the only player to lead three different franchises into the final.

The Mumbaikar had led Delhi Capitals in the final in 2020 and would help Kolkata Knight Riders win their third title four years later. The very next year, Iyer helped Punjab Kings finish top of the 10-team table and reach the playoffs for the first time in a decade, eventually finishing runners-up.

"My mindset was always about winning, against everyone that I challenged so whether it's about learning or winning that is secondary, but more fun you have growing up, the more competitive nature you have, especially while you play cricket or any other sport in general," Iyer continued, talking about his mindset as a captain.

"I think that takes you to another level and you want to take that sort of responsibility (and) even when I've got this job right now, or a responsibility as a captain., It’s a great challenge at the same time," he added.

Surya, who had succeeded Rohit Sharma as India's T20I skipper in 2024 and had helped the Men in Blue successfully defend their T20 World Cup title on home soil earlier this year, ended up getting dumped from the team due to his woeful run with the bat over the last one year.