Shreyas Iyer Set to Become India’s Next T20I Captain? Agarkar Backs Punjab Kings Star

Shreyas Iyer has been identified as India's next T20I captain. Despite rumours of a rift between Shreyas and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, there is no issue between them. Agarkar and the selection committee see the Punjab Kings captain as the likely successor to Suryakumar Yadav in T20I cricket. Conspiracy had it that Agarkar has been miffed with Shreyas’ decision to skip domestic matches. The first instance was in the 2018-19 season, when Agarkar was Mumbai’s chief selector and the batter refused to play after a long India A tour.

Something similar happened in the 2023-24 season when Shreyas stated that he was unfit, with back spasms, to play, but the medical staff at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) said otherwise. Now, whether or not any of this is true, we don’t know. Or that Agarkar doesn’t approve of Shreyas’ methods. But he believes Shreyas is the right man to take over from Suryakumar with one eye on the T20 World Cup 2028 and the Olympics. Just last year, he was promoted as India’s ODI vice-captain, a positive move for his T20I return and possible captaincy appointment in the format.

However, things may not be that straightforward. India head coach Gautam Gambhir could have a different view from Agarkar and the selectors. Gambhir and Shreyas Iyer were together at Kolkata Knight Riders during the IPL 2024 season, but both moved on from the franchise after that season. It was reported that Shreyas felt he was not adequately recognised for his role in KKR’s title run, with Gambhir receiving most of the praise. As with the Agarkar rumour, this is unverified.

Agarkar backs Shreyas, but Gambhir’s view could decide India’s next T20I captain

For all we know, Gambhir’s reluctance for Shreyas as a leader may be due to cricketing reasons, or perhaps he has already earmarked someone to take over from Suryakumar. There were reports suggesting that Sanju Samson or Ishan Kishan might have an outside chance of taking over from Suryakumar, considering both are part of the T20I team, unlike Shreyas, and have captaincy experience in the IPL. Axar Patel was the vice-captain in the T20 World Cup 2026, so naturally he’s in the race as well.