India’s newly appointed T20I captain Shreyas Iyer has made it clear that he intends to lead the team in his own way and will not try to imitate anyone else. Speaking after being given the captaincy, Iyer said he enjoys challenges and believes there is no need to change his personality just because he has taken on a leadership role.
The Mumbai batter was recently named India’s T20I captain for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, marking the start of a new phase for the team in the shortest format.
Speaking at a promotional event in Mumbai, Iyer said that growing up in Mumbai’s highly competitive cricket environment helped shape his mindset. He explained that competition was always intense, with many young players dreaming of representing Mumbai, which motivated him to constantly challenge himself.
Iyer said he has always enjoyed taking responsibility and sees captaincy as another opportunity to test himself. According to him, the competitive spirit developed during childhood plays an important role in helping athletes improve and succeed.
He also stressed that becoming captain would not change who he is. Iyer said he plans to remain the same person he has always been and does not want to lead while being compared to or influenced by someone else’s style.
The statement has attracted attention because of his past association with former Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir. During KKR’s IPL 2024 title-winning campaign, many observers credited Gambhir’s return as mentor for the team’s success, while some felt Iyer’s contribution as captain did not receive enough recognition.
Reports at the time suggested that Iyer was unhappy with the lack of credit he received, although neither he nor Gambhir publicly commented on any disagreement. As a result, some fans have interpreted his recent remarks about not being in anyone’s shadow as a possible reference to that period.
Iyer’s appointment as India’s T20I captain comes after a successful run as a leader in the IPL. He guided Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024 and later led Punjab Kings to the final in 2025. His leadership skills and calm decision-making earned praise from cricket experts and fans alike.
Apart from his captaincy, Iyer has also been in excellent form with the bat. After scoring his first IPL century in 2025, he continued his strong performances in the following season, strengthening his case for a leadership role at the international level.
The selectors eventually chose him to lead India as the team begins preparations for upcoming tournaments, including the next T20 World Cup cycle and the Asian Games.
Iyer’s first assignment as India’s T20I captain will be the tour of Ireland, where India will play two T20 internationals. The team will then travel to England for a five-match T20I series.
The upcoming tour is expected to provide the first glimpse of Iyer’s leadership style at the international level. With several young players in the squad, including vice-captain Tilak Varma and returning pacer Harshit Rana, the series could mark the beginning of a new era for India’s T20 team.