Shreyas Iyer has emerged as one of the most compelling figures in contemporary cricket. His commanding performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have reignited calls from fans and pundits for his return to India's T20I setup. However, this surge is not the result of a single standout season but rather a sustained period of excellence.
Iyer's Leadership and Batting Prowess
Over the past few years, since embracing the demands of captaincy, Iyer has demonstrated remarkable leadership ability while also excelling as a batter who balances the dual roles of anchor and aggressor. In IPL 2020, he captained the Delhi Capitals to their first IPL final, scoring 519 runs in 17 innings at a strike rate of 123.27. Later, as captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024, he led the team to their third title after 12 years, contributing 351 runs in 15 matches.
In IPL 2025, Iyer was picked by the Punjab Kings and guided them to their first final in 11 years. That season proved career-defining as he delivered his most explosive batting performance, accumulating 604 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 175.07. A common thread in his leadership is his ability to guide teammates while also contributing with the bat, relieving pressure in tight matches. In Qualifier 2 against the Mumbai Indians, he single-handedly dominated the chase, even hitting Jasprit Bumrah for a six with complete authority.
Suryakumar Yadav's Struggling Form
Suryakumar Yadav, currently India's T20I captain, has had a generally successful campaign. He led India to the T20 World Cup 2026 title and the Asia Cup 2025 title, and holds the record for the highest win percentage among Indian T20I captains (minimum 20 matches). In 52 matches as captain, he has led India to 40 wins, 8 losses, and 2 no-results.
However, concerns over his leadership revolve around his age and recent dip in batting form. He scored 242 runs in the five-match home series against New Zealand in early 2026, breaking Virat Kohli's previous record of 231 runs. He also completed 1,000 T20I runs as India's captain during his match-winning 84 (49) against the USA in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
But in ICC tournaments, his contributions with the bat have been relatively limited. In the Asia Cup 2025, he scored just 72 runs in 7 matches, and in the T20 World Cup 2026, he scored 242 runs in 9 innings. Despite India winning the World Cup, his strike rate of 136.72 was the lowest among Indian batters in the tournament, and he struggled in the knockout stages, including a duck in the final against New Zealand.
In IPL 2025, he emerged as the MVP, scoring 717 runs in 16 matches. However, in the ongoing IPL season, his numbers have dipped, managing just 121 runs in 6 matches so far. His recent outing against Punjab Kings on April 16 resulted in a golden duck, dismissed by Arshdeep Singh, and against Gujarat Titans on Monday, he started well but was cleaned up by a delivery from Kagiso Rabada for 15.
Looking ahead, the next major T20I event is the T20 World Cup 2028, where India will defend their title, and the same year cricket will be part of the 2028 LA Olympics. By then, Suryakumar Yadav will be 38. Alongside Iyer, players like Rajat Patidar are pushing for opportunities in the middle-order, meaning a continued dip in form for SKY could put his place under pressure in the next cycle.
Why Shreyas Iyer Fits in India's Leadership Scheme
Iyer has not only won titles but has also performed consistently across formats and with different teams and players, making him a frontrunner. However, he will face tough competition from other players in the T20 setup. Patidar, who led RCB to a title in his first season after an 18-year wait, has also impressed with both bat and leadership. Axar Patel, who has served as India's vice-captain, is also in the leadership race, although his recent form has dipped. Sanju Samson, who has a regular place in the T20I setup, is another strong contender, having played crucial knocks in major matches.
What makes Iyer unique among them is his consistency over the years. He has continuously performed with the bat and delivered results as a leader. In the 2024-2026 seasons, Shreyas Iyer has received widespread appreciation from the cricket fraternity for his tactical maturity and leadership resilience, especially after guiding three different franchises to IPL finals.
Expert Commendations on Leadership
- Anil Kumble: Termed him a "certainly underrated skipper," highlighting the difficulty of switching franchises and immediately leading them to a final, a feat Iyer achieved by taking PBKS to the 2025 final in his debut season.
- Ricky Ponting: The PBKS head coach stated that Iyer has "taken his game to a whole another level" and described him as a leader who has completely matured both personally and tactically.
- Brad Haddin: Lauded him as a "game-changer" who truly cares for his players, noting his unique record of leading three different teams (DC, KKR, PBKS) to IPL finals.
Recently, Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted how Shreyas Iyer's red-hot form is fueling his captaincy: "Just the comfort that he is creating around the team, to say, we will have a brotherly conversation. It's a brotherhood here. At the end of the day, I have played in teams where there is always that layer that you can't... You are just not able to go up to the captain or the coach and say, 'I will deliver this for you'. And it's happened. Just the fact that he has kept it simple like how it is being done in your gully or in your tennis-ball game back home, where we do this all the time with our captain or with our friend. That atmosphere is amazing. And I think the way he is batting, he is growing into the role of a leader that the players are looking up to, which is a lethal combination," Ashwin said.
Conclusion
Shreyas Iyer's rise as both a batter and a captain makes him one of the strongest contenders to make a comeback in India's T20I setup for the next T20 World Cup cycle and leadership scheme. While Suryakumar Yadav remains the current leader, the combination of Iyer's consistent performances, proven captaincy across teams, and ability to handle pressure situations puts him in a strong position for the future.
