Shreyas Iyer shares first reaction after being appointed as India’s new T20I captain

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India‘s T20I team has entered a new era with Shreyas Iyer officially taking over the captaincy, replacing Suryakumar Yadav. The decision, taken after a meeting of the national selection committee, marks a significant leadership shift as the Men in Blue begin preparations for a packed international calendar that includes tours of Ireland and England.

Fresh from a successful IPL campaign and carrying years of leadership experience in franchise cricket, Iyer wasted little time in sharing his thoughts on the responsibility. Speaking shortly after the announcement, the Mumbai batter made it clear that while captaining India is one of the biggest challenges in cricket, he intends to remain true to himself rather than alter his personality to fit the role.

Addressing the media at a promotional event in Mumbai, Iyer spoke confidently about the expectations that come with leading India. The 30-year-old emphasized that his approach to captaincy would be built around authenticity and self-belief.

“Being India captain is a great challenge, but I don’t need 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,” Iyer said.

The statement immediately attracted attention across the cricket fraternity. Many viewed it as a declaration that he wants to establish his own leadership identity rather than be compared with previous captains or influential figures around Indian cricket.

Having grown through the competitive Mumbai cricket structure, Iyer has often been praised for his resilience and ability to handle pressure situations. His latest comments suggest he plans to bring those qualities into the national setup as he begins a new chapter in his career.

Any speculation regarding tension between the outgoing and incoming captains was quickly put to rest during a T20 Mumbai League fixture, where Iyer and Suryakumar found themselves on opposite sides. Suryakumar publicly congratulated Iyer and expressed happiness at seeing another Mumbai cricketer take charge of India’s T20I side. The star batter highlighted the legacy of Mumbai captains in Indian cricket and described the development as a proud moment for the city’s cricketing community.

“Very, very happy for Shreyas as he’s getting to lead the T20 Indian team. We played a lot of cricket together in Bombay. Three back-to-back Mumbai captains are going to lead T20s for India, and that’s a proud moment,” said Surya.

Also READ: Why BCCI didn’t pick Rajat Patidar in India’s T20I squad despite winning back-to-back IPL titles? Ajit Agarkar explains

Iyer’s elevation has also received support from former captain Rohit Sharma, who believes the Mumbai batter has earned the opportunity through consistent performances and successful leadership stints. Rohit reportedly pointed to Iyer’s experience in managing high-pressure situations and leading top franchises, arguing that those experiences have prepared him for the demands of international captaincy.

“You have to really earn it. So, captaincy is also something that you have to earn and earn the respect of people around you. And I’m sure looking at how he has captained in the last few years for his franchise in Mumbai and all of that, he’s going to have a good time as well,” said Rohit.

The newly appointed skipper arrives on the back of an impressive IPL 2026 season, where he scored 498 runs while once again demonstrating his tactical acumen.

Also READ: Ajit Agarkar reveals why Suryakumar Yadav lost captaincy and place in India’s T20I squad