‘Where do you fit Shubman Gill?’ - Sanjay Manjrekar approves Shreyas Iyer’s appointment as India’s T20 captain

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar has given his thoughts and surprise over Shreyas Iyer’s appointment as India’s new T20I captain replacing Suryakumar Yadav. The call was taken after citing Suryakumar Yadav’s poor form with the bat in the last few years.

Reacting to the same development, the former Mumbai batter admitted that he was actually surprised with the right-hander’s appointment as India captain ahead of the Ireland T20I series. Manjrekar was expecting ODI captain Shubman Gill to take over the T20 captaincy duties for Suryakumar Yadav.

“Yes, I was surprised. I am trying to understand why that choice was made. Shubman Gill is another player with leadership pedigree. He has captained India as well and had a very good IPL. But he is an opener in T20 cricket. Where do you fit Shubman Gill? Shreyas Iyer bats in the middle order, so there is space there. Suryakumar Yadav is the captain, so perhaps they felt there is a defined role for Shreyas in the side. His leadership has been impressive,” Manjrekar said in an interview with Sony Sports Network.

He further added that what happens in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a very much important part of discussion when it comes to Indian team selection. And after a good season with Punjab Kings’ both as batter and as captain, Shreyas Iyer had done enough and the call-up was well deserved.

“I think whatever happens in the IPL has a tremendous impact on everything – whether it is 50-over cricket, leadership or T20 cricket. So, Shreyas Iyer’s appointment has a lot to do with his IPL performances. Although I will say that last IPL, he was actually in better batting form than this season. I think it will be a little challenging, only because he was out of the India T20I squad. He deserved to come back. Last season he should have been picked after the phenomenal IPL he had, both as a batter and as a captain,” he continued.

Shreyas Iyer has played 51 T20I matches, where he has scored 1104 runs with a strike rate of 136.13.