Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 6: India chief selector Ajit Agarkar has defended the decision to appoint Shreyas Iyer as the new captain of the men’s T20I team, describing him as the most deserving candidate while acknowledging that replacing World Cup-winning skipper Suryakumar Yadav was one of the toughest calls made by the selection committee.
Speaking at the BCCI headquarters on Saturday, Agarkar said Iyer’s leadership record and consistent performances made him the standout choice to lead India into the next T20 World Cup cycle.
“Shreyas has built an impressive captaincy record over the last few years. He has led multiple franchises successfully, won a title, reached finals and handled different challenges as a leader. Along with that, his batting performances have been outstanding. He has the experience and temperament required for this role,” Agarkar said.
Iyer, who last represented India in a T20 International in December 2023, has emerged as one of the most successful captains in the IPL in recent years. He guided Kolkata Knight Riders to the 2024 title, led Punjab Kings to the final in 2025 and had earlier taken Delhi Capitals to the IPL final in 2020.
The appointment comes alongside a major reshuffle in India's T20 setup, with Suryakumar Yadav being left out of the squads for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games.
Agarkar admitted that moving on from Suryakumar, who captained India to T20 World Cup glory just months ago, was not an easy decision.
“Whenever a World Cup cycle ends, you evaluate the direction of the team and plan for the future. Surya’s recent form was one of the factors, but the bigger picture was preparing for the next World Cup. These decisions are never easy, especially when a player has led the team to a world title,” he said.
Suryakumar endured a difficult run with the bat in recent months and struggled to make a significant impact during IPL 2026. According to Agarkar, the selection panel carefully weighed both current form and long-term planning before making the change.
The selectors also named Tilak Varma as vice-captain, a move Agarkar said was aimed at grooming future leaders within the squad.
“Tilak is an exceptional talent and this role will help him develop leadership skills. We are looking at the next two-year cycle and building a core group that can take Indian cricket forward,” he explained.
Agarkar emphasised that leadership decisions are not based solely on short-term performances. He noted that Iyer had remained close to national selection over the past two years but competition for middle-order spots had limited his opportunities.
“First, a player must deserve a place in the team on merit. Shreyas has certainly done that. His performances with the bat and his achievements as a captain have earned him this opportunity,” he said.
Reflecting on his conversation with Suryakumar, Agarkar said informing a World Cup-winning captain about the change was challenging but necessary.
“When someone has led your team to a World Cup title, these discussions are never straightforward. We deliberated extensively before making the decision. Ultimately, our responsibility is to do what we believe is best for the team’s future,” he said.
With Iyer now at the helm and Tilak appointed as his deputy, India’s T20 side enters a new phase as the team begins preparations for the next global tournament cycle.