Shreyas Iyer’s years of hard work have finally been acknowledged by a former Indian cricketer as he backs the Punjab Kings skipper, citing he could fill the ‘leadership vacuum’ in the Indian team.
Shreyas Iyer has put on some stellar performances in the past, in the domestic season as well as the IPL. Despite all his efforts and his stunning performances for team India as well, he was snubbed from the Asia Cup squad.
Ever since this snub, a speculation spread like wildfire that Shreyas has been considered as Rohit Sharma’s successor for the ODI captaincy. However, the BCCI and the Indian management soon made it clear that they do not have any such intentions.
Shreyas Iyer gets massive backing for Indian captaincy
While Shubman Gill has been cited as the only option by the Indian management and the BCCI to replace Rohit Sharma, since he can be seen as India’s all-format captain in the future, some players have still extended their support to Shreyas Iyer.
Now, former Gujarat batter Priyank Panchal has backed Iyer, claiming that he has climbed the leadership ranks over the course of all these years. He has also complimented the PBKS skipper, saying he could fill up the ‘leadership vacuum’ in the Indian team.
“He has already climbed this ladder for many years now. I hope he comes to the main team as early as possible across formats. @ShreyasIyer15 is a great leader and a team player and someone who is ready to take over the leadership vacuum,” Panchal tweeted on Saturday evening.
Shreyas Iyer has been named India A captain for the multi-day games against Australia A
Panchal’s tweet came after Shreyas Iyer was named the skipper of the India A side for the upcoming Australia A tour. The tour comprises two multi-day matches, and Shreyas will lead India in the two.
The team will also have the likes of Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, Narayan Jagadeesan, and Dhruv Jurel, the vice-captain, after all these players were part of India’s main squad that played in England.
KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj are likely to join the squad for the second multi-day game, which will be played in Lucknow. The series will be followed by three one-day games as well.
Is the India-A captaincy hinting towards Iyer’s Test comeback?
Shreyas Iyer’s latest red-ball appearance came during the Duleep Trophy 2025, when he played for the West Zone in the semi-final against the Central Zone after being snubbed from the Asia Cup squad.
Iyer batted in the lower middle order and could manage only 25 runs in the first innings, and with just a day left in the game, batting in the second innings might be highly unlikely.
However, his latest appointment as the captain of the India A squad might stir up the hopes for a return to the Indian Test side for the middle-order batter from Mumbai. Iyer last played Test cricket for India back in February 2024 in the England home series.