Dropped from Tests, ignored in the Asia Cup T20I squad, and not even considered for the travelling reserves—Shreyas Iyer’s year looked like one of missed chances. And yet, if reports are to be believed, the 29-year-old could soon walk out as India’s next ODI captain. Few stories in Indian cricket have carried this level of drama, and Iyer’s rise has all the makings of a blockbuster twist.
Fans and former cricketers were left scratching their heads when the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee left Iyer out of India’s Asia Cup plans. The criticism wasn’t surprising—his numbers had been too good to ignore. Earlier this year, Iyer was India’s top run-scorer in the Champions Trophy, piling up 243 runs from 5 matches. He followed that up with a blazing IPL campaign, smashing over 600 runs in 17 innings at a strike rate north of 175. If form was the criteria, Iyer was ticking every box.
And now, the winds of change seem to be blowing in his favor. According to sources, the BCCI and team management view Iyer as a long-term successor to Rohit Sharma, who turned 38 this year. With Virat Kohli and Rohit already stepping away from T20Is and Tests, the selectors are plotting a transition phase in ODIs as well. Iyer’s credentials—2845 ODI runs at an average of 48.22 with five centuries—make him an obvious candidate. His composure in the middle order, combined with his ability to accelerate under pressure, gives India a dependable anchor around whom the batting can revolve.
But it isn’t just the runs that have impressed the selectors. Iyer’s leadership skills, showcased during his IPL stints, have added weight to his case. He’s seen as a cool-headed figure who doesn’t let pressure rattle him, a trait India will desperately need in the post-Rohit era.
The timeline, however, remains uncertain. Much will depend on Rohit’s decision regarding his international future. If he chooses to step aside after the Asia Cup, Iyer could take charge as early as the upcoming ODI series against Australia. If not, the transition might be gradual.
From being ignored to being in charge, Shreyas Iyer’s story is a reminder that in Indian cricket, form, fate, and timing often collide to create the most unexpected leaders.
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