A new debate has started in Indian cricket about Shreyas Iyer’s future role in the national T20 team. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Iyer could become India’s next T20I captain if he performs well and shows strong leadership in IPL 2026 with Punjab Kings.
Iyer has not played a T20 international match since 2023 and was not selected for India’s squad in the recently completed T20 World Cup 2026. Despite that, Chopra believes the door could still open for him in the future.
Aakash Chopra’s View on Shreyas Iyer’s Captaincy Chances
Aakash Chopra recently spoke about this possibility during a discussion on his YouTube channel. According to him, Iyer could return to India’s T20 setup if a middle-order spot becomes available.
Chopra explained that leadership experience plays an important role in national team selections. If Iyer leads Punjab Kings successfully in IPL 2026 and continues to perform with the bat, he could present a strong case for becoming India’s T20 captain in the future.
He suggested that when the Indian team looks for a new leader in the T20 format, Iyer’s captaincy background could make him a serious option.
Shreyas Iyer’s Leadership Record
Shreyas Iyer already has a strong record as a captain in franchise and domestic cricket. His leadership has helped teams perform well in important tournaments.
Shreyas Iyer Captaincy Highlights
| Team | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Led the team to IPL title in 2024 |
| Punjab Kings | Finished top of points table in IPL 2025 |
| Mumbai (Domestic Cricket) | Captained the team in white-ball formats |
These experiences have helped Iyer develop strong leadership skills, including decision-making under pressure and managing big players in the dressing room.
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Punjab Kings’ Strong Season in IPL 2025
Punjab Kings had an impressive campaign under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy in IPL 2025. The team finished at the top of the league stage with nine wins and four losses from 14 matches.
PBKS reached the final but narrowly lost the title to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
PBKS Performance in IPL 2025
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 9 | 4 | 1st in league stage |
Although the team did not win the final, their overall performance showed the impact of Iyer’s leadership.
Why IPL 2026 Is Important for Iyer
IPL 2026 could play a major role in Shreyas Iyer’s chances of returning to India’s T20 team. The IPL is one of the biggest platforms in cricket where players can prove their ability in high-pressure situations.
If Iyer performs strongly as both captain and batsman for Punjab Kings, selectors may consider him again for the Indian T20 side.
His leadership, combined with a possible opening in the middle order in the future, could strengthen his chances.
Current Situation in India’s T20 Setup
At present, Shreyas Iyer is not part of India’s T20 plans and his last T20 international appearance came in 2023. The Indian team recently played the T20 World Cup 2026 without him.
However, cricket often changes quickly. Strong performances in major tournaments like the IPL can quickly bring players back into national contention.
As IPL 2026 approaches, fans and experts will closely watch how Shreyas Iyer performs with Punjab Kings.
A successful season with both the bat and captaincy could strengthen the belief that he might become a future leader for India’s T20 team.
For now, it remains a possibility, but IPL 2026 could become an important chapter in Shreyas Iyer’s journey toward a bigger role in Indian cricket.
