Tag: Shreyas Iyer

MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday appointed Shreyas Iyer as the new T20I captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav in a sweeping selection overhaul.

The decision comes amid Suryakumar’s dip in batting form, despite him leading India to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 title earlier this year.

He was dropped from the T20I side altogether after managing mere 242 runs in nine World Cup innings at a strike rate of 136.72 and enduring a modest IPL 2026 campaign with 270 runs in 13 matches at 20.76 average.

Iyer, meanwhile, returned to the T20I setup after a long absence, having last played in the format in December 2023. His appointment is backed by strong leadership credentials in franchise cricket, including guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title and leading both Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings to IPL finals in 2020 and 2025, respectively.

His recent batting numbers further strengthened his case, with 604 runs in IPL 2025 at a strike rate of 175.07, followed by 498 runs in IPL 2026 at 168.81.

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Moreover, 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned his maiden call-up to the senior T20I squad after a blistering IPL season, during which he topped the run charts, amassing 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30, including a century and five half-centuries.

India will begin the new T20I era under Iyer with two matches in Ireland on June 26 and 28, followed by a five-match series in England from July 1 to 11.

The BCCI named a 16-member squad for the Ireland and England tours, which will be trimmed to 15 for the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi, Japan, scheduled from September 19 to October 4.

Jasprit Bumrah is set to replace Mohammed Siraj in the Asian Games squad, while Prince Yadav will miss out. The rest of the group remains unchanged.

India T20I squad for Ireland, England series: Shreyas Iyer (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (vc), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Mohammed Siraj, Prince Yadav.

India T20I squad for Asian Games 2026: Shreyas Iyer (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (vc), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Jasprit Bumrah.

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India are set for a major leadership change in T20I cricket, with Shreyas Iyer emerging as the frontrunner to replace Suryakumar Yadav as captain.

According to reports, India’s selectors and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are considering a fresh direction in the shortest format despite Suryakumar guiding the team to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 title earlier this year.

The proposed change comes as India begin planning for the T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2028, while also preparing for cricket’s return to the Olympics at the Los Angeles Games the same year.

Suryakumar’s position came under scrutiny following a mixed run of form. Although India lifted the T20 World Cup trophy under his leadership, the experienced batter scored 242 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 136.72 during the tournament.

His struggles continued in IPL 2026, where he managed 270 runs from 13 innings at an average of 20.76 and a strike rate of 147.54.

Reports suggest the 35-year-old could even be left out of India’s upcoming T20I squad as the selectors look to build a younger core for future tournaments.

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Shreyas Iyer, meanwhile, has strengthened his case through consistent performances and impressive leadership credentials in franchise cricket. The right-handed batter captained Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024 and previously led Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings to IPL finals in 2020 and 2025, respectively.

Despite not featuring in a T20I since December 2023, Iyer has remained among the most productive batters in the IPL. He amassed 604 runs at a strike rate of 175.07 during the 2025 season before following it up with 498 runs at a strike rate of 168.81 in IPL 2026.

The potential leadership switch would continue a recent trend in Indian cricket. Last year, Rohit Sharma was replaced as ODI captain shortly after leading India to the Champions Trophy 2025 title, although he retained his place in the squad as a player.

India are expected to announce their squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of Ireland and England on Saturday, with teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also set to earn his maiden international call-up.

The 15-year-old enjoyed a record-breaking IPL 2026 campaign, scoring 776 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 237.30. If selected, he would become the youngest player named in an Indian men’s squad since Sachin Tendulkar’s emergence in international cricket during the late 1980s.

India’s tour begins with two T20Is against Ireland in Belfast on June 26 and 28 before a five-match T20I series against England, scheduled from July 1 to 11.

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SYDNEY: India’s ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer was discharged from the Sydney hospital on Saturday following a spleen laceration he sustained during the third ODI against Australia on October 25.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Saturday that Iyer is now “stable and recovering well” after undergoing a minor procedure to stop internal bleeding.

He will remain in Sydney for further medical evaluation before returning to India once cleared fit to travel.

“The injury was promptly identified, and the bleeding was immediately arrested following a minor procedure,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement.

“He has undergone appropriate medical management for the same. The BCCI medical team, along with specialists in Sydney and India, are pleased with his recovery, and he has been discharged from the hospital today.”

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The 30-year-old was treated by Dr Koroush Haghighi and his team in Sydney, with assistance from Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala in India.

Iyer’s injury occurred when he completed a diving catch to dismiss Alex Carey during the Sydney ODI.

He was seen clutching his rib cage and signaling for medical attention before being taken off the field.

Subsequent scans revealed internal bleeding caused by a spleen laceration, leading to his ICU admission for observation.

India went on to win the final ODI by nine wickets but lost the three-match series 2–1. The visitors trail 1–0 in the T20I series currently underway in Australia.

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Suryakumar Yadav, captain of India’s T20I team, announced on Tuesday that middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer is stable and has been in communication with the team from the hospital after suffering a lacerated spleen.

Iyer, 30, sustained the injury as he pulled off a sensational catch to remove Alex Carey, a key moment in the third one-day international against Australia that India won by nine wickets in Sydney.

The Indian ODI vice-captain was forced off the field and hospitalised.

“I have been talking to him over the last two days, he has been replying,” Suryakumar told journalists ahead of the team’s first T20 international in Canberra on Wednesday.

“It’s looking good,” Suryakumar said. “They will keep him under observation for a few days.”

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He added that doctors and physiotherapists described the injury as “rare”.

“But rare things happen to rare talent. God is with him, and he will recover soon, and we will take him along with us.”

Iyer is being closely monitored by the medical team of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

He is not part of India’s T20 squad, which will play five matches in Australia that will serve as a tune-up for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February-March.

He has scored 2,917 runs from 73 ODIs at an average of 47.81 since his ODI debut in 2017.

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has provided an update on the right-handed batter Shreyas Iyer, who sustained a severe injury during the third ODI against Australia in Sydney.

The country’s cricket board said on Monday that Iyer is currently hospitalised, undergoing treatment for a lacerated spleen.

This injury was sustained during an intense moment in the third ODI, where India triumphed by nine wickets.

Iyer experienced a powerful impact on his left lower rib cage as he executed a breathtaking backpedalling catch to dismiss Alex Carey.

Despite the victory, India lost the series 1-2 after suffering defeats in the first two games in Perth and Adelaide.

Iyer, who is also the vice-captain of the ODI team, was forced off the field after the injury and did not return for the rest of Australia’s innings.

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“Shreyas Iyer sustained an impact injury to his left lower rib cage region while fielding during the third ODI against Australia in Sydney on 25th October 2025. He was taken to the hospital for further evaluation,” the BCCI said in a statement.

“Scans have revealed a laceration injury to the spleen. He is under treatment, medically stable, and recovering well.

“The BCCI Medical Team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, is closely monitoring his injury status. The Indian Team Doctor will remain in Sydney with Shreyas to evaluate his day-to-day progress.”

He remains hospitalised in Sydney, where the BCCI medical team is closely monitoring him in consultation with specialists from Australia and India, the statement added.

It was not clear when Iyer could return to action. A five-match T20 series between the two cricketing powerhouses begins on October 29, but Iyer is not a part of that squad.

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India batter Shreyas Iyer has opened up about his disappointment at missing out on the 15-member squad for the upcoming ACC Asia Cup 2025, admitting he felt “frustrated” but remains determined to bounce back stronger.

Speaking on a local Indian podcast, Iyer said he initially struggled to accept the exclusion, especially given his recent performances, but has since chosen to focus on the bigger picture.

“It is only frustrating when you know you deserve to be in the team, in the playing XI. That time, it was frustrating,” Iyer said.

“But at the same time, when someone is performing consistently for the team, you support them. Eventually, the goal is for the team to win, and when the team is winning, everyone is happy.”

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The right-hander stressed that setbacks won’t affect his work ethic, emphasising that preparation is as important as match-day execution.

“If you don’t get a chance, you have to see to it that you do your work ethically. It’s not like you have to perform only when someone is watching. When you prepare yourself in a certain manner, whatever happens on the ground is just a reflection of what you do off the field,” he explained.

Shreyas Iyer added that consistent preparation always pays off in the long run.

“If your prep is good and you don’t perform in one or two games, in the third game, you are definitely going to perform. I have experienced this,” he concluded.

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Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has questioned the exclusion of star batter Shreyas Iyer from India’s squad for the ACC Asia Cup 2025.

Last week, India’s men’s selection committee announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

However, the exclusion of Iyer raised eyebrows, especially considering his outstanding performance in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), where he scored 604 runs at an average of 50.33 and an impressive strike rate of 175.07.

AB de Villiers has recently spoken out, expressing his surprise at Iyer’s exclusion from the team. He articulated his confusion over the decision to overlook a player of such remarkable talent and potential.

During an interview with Indian media, de Villiers emphasized that Iyer’s maturity, steady progression in his career, and impressive leadership abilities should have made him a natural choice for selection.

“Of course, it’s weird to me, a quality player like that not making the starting squad for Team India, especially with the leadership qualities he’s bringing,” he stated.

“I have no idea, to be honest. If there’s a 50-50 call, you would always lean towards the guy that you feel will bring the best out in other players.”

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The former captain of the South African cricket team suggested that various factors outside of the game might have influenced the selectors’ final decision.

“He’s matured a lot. He has demonstrated many leadership qualities, but who knows what is happening behind closed doors? Maybe, not even Shreyas knows,” he further added.

“There might be a few things that have taken place over the years that have determined why he’s not the flavour of the month for a certain tournament. He’s a quality player. He’ll be in my team more often than not.”

The Asia Cup 2025 will begin on September 9 with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong in the opening fixture.

India are placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, hosts UAE, and Oman.

They open their campaign against the UAE on September 10 in Dubai, before locking horns with Pakistan on September 14 in one of the tournament’s most-anticipated clashes.

Their final group stage match against Oman is scheduled for September 19 in Abu Dhabi.

India’s squad for Asia Cup 2025: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson.

Reserves: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering ace batter Shubman Gill as a potential successor to Rohit Sharma in One Day Internationals (ODIs), an Indian news outlet reported on Friday.

According to the report, Shubman Gill, who has also been appointed as Test captain, is expected to replace Rohit Sharma as the ODI captain as well.

Shubman Gill has cemented his spot in the ODIs and has a stellar average of 59 in the 50-over format.

The report cited a source backing Shubman Gill to take over the reins from Rohit Sharma when the time comes.

“He [Shubman Gill] averages 59 in ODI cricket and is already the vice-captain of the team. There is no way someone who has recently been appointed Test captain, found some success, and has age on his side should not take over leadership in ODI cricket, when the time comes,” the source said.

As the Indian team undergoes a transition, reports suggest that besides Shubman Gill, several names may replace Rohit Sharma.

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The middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer is among those whose stock as a captain in white-ball cricket has risen after a stellar display in two consecutive Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons.

Shreyas Iyer, who was pivotal in India’s Champions Trophy triumph, took two different franchises to the IPL final. His leadership skills have made him a strong contender for the captaincy role in India’s ODI cricket team.

However, according to the report, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had denied replacing Rohit Sharma as captain.

“That’s news to me. There have been no such discussions,” Saikia said.

It is pertinent to mention that the 38-year-old Rohit Sharma has already retired from T20I and Test cricket. With ODI remaining his strongest format, the right-handed batter is yet to provide clarity on his future.

However, recent reports suggest that BCCI is looking to incorporate some young players ahead of the 2027 ICC World Cup. This makes Sharma’s place in the team vulnerable, as he will be 40 by the time the marquee event in South Africa arrives.

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Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has called Shreyas Iyer the country’s best current middle-order batter, urging selectors to include him in the squad for the upcoming ACC Asia Cup 2025.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra highlighted Iyer’s ability to dominate the middle overs, praising his knack for finding boundaries and maintaining momentum under pressure.

“The Asia Cup squad needs to include Shreyas Iyer because no Indian player was better than him in the middle overs during the Champions Trophy,” he said.

Aakash Chopra further underlined Iyer’s stellar form in IPL 2025, where the Punjab Kings skipper scored 604 runs in 17 innings at an average of 50.33, leading his side to the final.

He noted that such performances often influence national selection.

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“This was Shreyas Iyer’s best IPL season yet. We have often seen that IPL performances play a key role in T20 selections. By that measure, Iyer deserves a spot,” Aakash Chopra added.

Iyer’s T20I numbers also strengthen his case, with 1,104 runs at a strike rate of 136.11 in 47 innings, the fifth-highest tally among active Indian players.

Aakash Chopra said his experience and composure could provide India with much-needed stability in the middle overs heading into the 2026 T20 World Cup.

The Asia Cup 2025 begins on September 9 with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong in the Group B opener.

Pakistan and India headline Group A alongside UAE and Oman, while Group B consists of Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.

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DUBAI: Indian middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer was crowned ICC Men’s Player of the Month for March, owing to his brilliant performance during his side’s successful Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.

He claimed the prestigious award after beating off stiff competition from the New Zealand duo of all-rounder Rachin Ravindra and pace bowler Jacob Duffy.

Shreyas Iyer played a vital role in India’s title-winning campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, finishing as the team’s highest run-scorer.

The right-hander amassed 172 runs in three ODIs at an average of 57.33 and a strike rate of 77.47.

While his top score (79) came during India’s group-stage clash against New Zealand, Iyer also chipped in with key contributions in the knockout stages, scoring 45 in the semi-final against Australia and 48 in the final versus the Kiwis.

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Iyer expressed pride in being named Player of the Month, stating that contributing to India’s success is a dream for every cricketer.

“I’m truly honored to be named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for March. This recognition is incredibly special, especially in a month where we lifted the ICC Champions Trophy — a moment I will cherish forever,” he stated.

“Being able to contribute to India’s success on such a big stage is something every cricketer dreams of. I’m grateful to my teammates, coaches, and support staff for their unwavering support and belief.

“A heartfelt thank you to the fans as well — your energy and encouragement keep us going every step of the way.”

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