Shreyas Iyer is the front-runner to replace batting veteran Rohit Sharma in the 50-over format, as he has already announced his retirement from T20Is and Test matches. Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the BCCI, has denied these reports, claiming they are merely rumors.
Shreyas Iyer is viewed by many as a calm and tactful cricketer with the right kind of mindset to carry India ahead, particularly when he got two different teams in the IPL to the finals back to back. His argument of becoming a captain is enhanced by his contribution in the batting arena, when he has given one of his best performances at the 2025 Champions trophy, where he ended up being the top scorer of the country.
With Rohit at 38 and reaching the end of his international career, the issue around succession has grown. Young opener Shubman Gill has also been viewed as a future leader alongside Iyer. Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the BCCI, recently spoke out against the rumors. I’ve never heard of that before. Such conversations haven’t taken place,” Saikia told Hindustan Times.
Curiously, Iyer was left out of India’s 15-man roster for the 2025 Asia Cup, despite his name being linked to the position of ODI captain. Despite having a fantastic IPL season in which he amassed over 600 runs and guided Punjab Kings to the championship game, his absence has drawn harsh criticism from both fans and experts.
I don’t know what else Shreyas has to do: Santosh Iyer
The Ajit Agarkar-headed selection committee, which is as much to blame for in Iyer being left out as Suryakumar Yadav was in bolstering it, was questioned for omitting the player, even to the list of reserves. Santosh Iyer, father of the cricket player, too expressed disappointment as parent that his son was neglected for the major occasion.
“I don’t know what else Shreyas has to do to make it to the Indian T20 team. He has been performing so well in the IPL year after year, from Delhi Capitals to Kolkata Knight Riders to Punjab Kings, and that too as a captain. He even captained KKR to the IPL title in 2024 and led PBKS to the final this year,” Santosh told Times of India.
Additionally, the BCCI has indicated that the senior selection panel will be changing in the near future. Agarkar remains chairman until the 2026 T20 World Cup, and the board has asked for new applications to replace two players on the existing five-man squad.
