Shreyas Iyer’s IPL Success Sparks Calls for India Captaincy Role
| 2025-06-02
BCCI receives backing for Shreyas Iyer to captain India across formats after his standout IPL 2025 performance.
Shreyas Iyer leads Punjab Kings to IPL 2025 final, becoming the first to captain three franchises to the finals, prompting calls for India captaincy.
Shreyas Iyer’s leadership credentials received a major boost after guiding Punjab Kings to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final, marking his third appearance in the tournament’s decider with a different franchise.
The 30-year-old right-handed batter struck an unbeaten 87 off just 41 deliveries in the second qualifier against Mumbai Indians, helping Punjab Kings secure a place in the final where they will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The match is scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
According to former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa, Iyer’s consistent leadership in the IPL should translate into greater responsibility at the international level. “Iyer will captain India in multiple formats!! He has to!! He’s that good,” Uthappa wrote in a social media post following the match.
Iyer’s achievement is unprecedented in the IPL, as no other captain has taken three different franchises to the final. He previously led Delhi Capitals to the 2020 final and Kolkata Knight Riders to a title win in 2024. Despite that success, he was not retained by Kolkata Knight Riders, a decision that drew scrutiny in cricket circles.
Leadership and Performance
Iyer's contributions extend beyond his captaincy. With 603 runs in 16 matches at an average of 54.82 and a strike rate of 175.80, he is among the top performers with the bat in IPL 2025. His success with Punjab Kings has also been credited to his partnership with head coach Ricky Ponting, with whom he previously worked at Delhi Capitals.
Punjab Kings had not reached the playoffs since 2014. The team’s resurgence under Iyer’s leadership has been widely noted, particularly given his high-profile acquisition by the franchise for INR 26.75 crore ahead of the season.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not officially commented on Iyer’s prospects in the national team’s leadership, but growing public and expert sentiment appears to support a larger role for him in the future.
Current Status in Indian Team
Despite his IPL success, Iyer is currently not part of India’s Test or T20 international squads. He was overlooked for the recent T20I series and also omitted from the squad for the upcoming Test matches against England. However, he played a pivotal role in India’s victorious campaign at the Champions Trophy, where the team remained unbeaten under Rohit Sharma.
The current leadership structure of the Indian men’s cricket team is fragmented across formats. Rohit Sharma leads the One Day International (ODI) side, Suryakumar Yadav heads the T20 team, and Shubman Gill captains the Test side.
Iyer’s supporters point to the example of Rohit Sharma, who built a strong resume as captain of Mumbai Indians—winning five IPL titles—before taking over the Indian team’s leadership following the tenure of Virat Kohli.
Context and Implications
India’s leadership transition plans remain unclear. With no single captain leading across all formats and ageing senior players potentially nearing the end of their careers, the BCCI could consider grooming future leaders like Iyer.
Given India’s recent success in international tournaments—such as the T20 World Cup in 2024 and the Champions Trophy in 2025—continuity in leadership remains vital. Iyer’s proven ability to deliver results in high-pressure situations may position him as a strong candidate for such a role.
As Punjab Kings prepare for their second-ever IPL final, the spotlight remains firmly on Shreyas Iyer—not only for his chance to secure another title but for what his success may mean for the future of Indian cricket leadership.
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