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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Shreyas Iyer as the new captain of Team India for the T20 International format, replacing ICC T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav.
Shreyas Iyer, who played his last T20 match in December 2023, will lead the team during the UK tour, when India will play against Ireland and then England. Iyer will make his debut as India captain during the 2-match T20 series against Ireland in Belfast on June 26 and 28.
I obviously like challenges: Shreyas Iyer
After being appointed as the leader of the national team, especially in a format where he had not played for a long time, Shreyas Iyer lacks confidence. The famous Indian Premier League captain mentioned that he likes to take challenges as he grows up in Mumbai, where the competition is huge. Challenging situations help Iyer grow into a strong leader whose only priority is to win the game under any circumstances.
“I obviously loved challenges growing up, especially being from Mumbai, where cricket is huge, the competition is huge, every other kid on the street wants to represent Mumbai, and I faced a lot of challenges growing up. So my mindset was always to win against everyone I challenge,” Iyer said in the PTI video.
“Whether it’s about learning or winning, it’s secondary, but the more you enjoy growing up, the more competitive nature you have, especially when playing cricket or any other sport in general, I think it takes you to a different level and you want to take that kind of responsibility, whether I’ve got this job now or the responsibility as a captain,” he said.
Video | “Becoming India’s captain is a big challenge, but I don’t have to change my personality,” said India’s T20I captain Shreyas Iyer.
(Full video available on PTI Video – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/kk6vSJZnxn
– Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 7, 2026
I was the first and don’t try to be like anyone else or live under anyone’s shadow – Shreyas Iyer
He has joined the team as a replacement for Suryakumar Yadav. The national team selectors not only removed Yadav from the leadership role but also dropped the batsman from the team altogether due to his poor form in recent times.
It will not be easy for Iyer to fill the place of the former commander. It is going to be a big challenge for Shreyas Iyer but to succeed with the new responsibility, the new India captain has promised to maintain his individuality and will not try to replicate anyone else.
“It’s a big challenge (and) at the same time, I don’t have to change my personality. I have to be the same person I was before and not try to be like someone else or live under someone’s shadow,” Iyer said.
Back-to-back assignments for Iyer
The 31-year-old has played 51 T20Is for India so far, scoring 1104 runs in 47 innings at an average of 30.66 and a strike rate of 136.12. Currently, Shreyas Iyer has eight half-centuries to his name in the shortest format of the game with the national cricket team.
Along with leading the team against Ireland and England, he will also be at the forefront during the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
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