Shreyas Iyer closing in as Suryakumar Yadav's successor with T20I captaincy shake-up on the cards: Report

Team India star Shreyas Iyer has become a genuine contender for the Men in Blue's T20I leadership role following his consistent performances during national duty and the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season with the Punjab Kings (PBKS). From being out of favour to carving a path for his resurgence in the game, Iyer's consistency as a batter and franchise skipper has put his name back on the table for a possible captaincy position down the road.

Shreyas Iyer initially showed his capacity as Delhi Capitals' skipper, taking the team through a crucial rebuild. His leadership and calm demeanour stood out among the rest. Iyer moved ahead with the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022 and led them to their third IPL title victory in 2024, building his stature as a capable skipper. He then reunited with coach Ricky Ponting in the Punjab Kings and led them to the IPL 2025 final.

More from Firstcricket

Iyer in spotlight as possible T20I captain while SKY struggles

Amid Suryakumar Yadav's ongoing slump in the game's shortest format, Shreyas Iyer has become an evident replacement for Suryakumar Yadav if the BCCI selectors were considering moving on.

Sources have noted that appointing Iyer directly as captain would be a significant decision. But given that the immediate priority has shifted in preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup, selectors have the flexibility to meticulously plan a transition in T20I leadership without rushing into decisions.

"Iyer last played a T20I in 2023. He has not been part of the current setup. It's a big call to bring him back and hand him the captaincy straightaway. The focus has shifted towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, which has given selectors breathing space to plan for a T20I leadership transition," a BCCI source said to Times of India.

Shreyas Iyer shines as PBKS skipper in IPL 2026

Under Shreyas Iyer's leadership, the Punjab Kings are currently running unbeaten and at the top of the IPL 2026 points table. With four victories and the KKR vs PBKS match being abandoned due to rain, the franchise has emerged as early favourites for playoff contention.

Notably, the Punjab Kings have been the ultimate chase masters in all their matches so far, with skipper Shreyas Iyer being the team's top performer.

Punjab Kings will be in action against the Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday, April 19, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.