Shreyas Iyer (Image credit: AFP Photo) NEW CHANDIGARH: Shreyas Iyer got his first taste of IPL captaincy in turbulent circumstances. In an awkward mid-season 2018 press conference held by head coach Ricky Ponting, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) regular Gautam Gambhir resigned due to the team’s woeful form and embarrassing run. Gambhir announced Iyer as his successor.Iyer continued to flourish as captain and batsman under Ponting at the Capitals before moving to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022 when the Delhi franchise shifted the reins to Rishabh Pant. In 2024, he teamed up with Gambhir again in KKR and led the franchise to the IPL title. The triumph saw Gambhir promoted to the position of India’s head coach within a month and Iyer quit the franchise.
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Ajinkya Rahane press conference: On another defeat, Cameron Green and more Even as Gambhir went into overdrive to reshape India’s T20I set-up, Iyer remained out of contention. Turbulence followed his career despite continued consistency. Now reunited with Ponting at the Punjab Kings – both bearing the scars of their departure from the Capitals – Iyer will stir up a campaign that could knock on the door of Gambhir’s T20 champions.On Sunday night, Iyer will take on Pant, now in charge of Lucknow Super Giants, fighting an uphill battle to regain his place in India after being sidelined following a triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup campaign.But Iyer’s race is no longer against Pant. World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav’s prolonged slump has triggered one of the trickiest phases for Gambhir and the selection committee.Sources told TOI that Iyer is the most obvious replacement for Surya if and when the selectors decide to move on. His authority at No. 4 in T20 cricket is unparalleled in Indian cricket at present. The selectors showed little leniency to Pant and Shubman Gill in the format. But the conviction surrounding Surya’s successor – particularly as captain – remains crucial.
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Bombay Sport Exchange: Munaf Patel on Gautam Gambhir, Virat vs Bumrah and Indian bowling. “Iyer last played a T20I in 2023. He was not part of the current squad. It is a big challenge to bring him back and hand him the captaincy immediately,” a BCCI source told TOI. “The focus has shifted to the 2027 ODI World Cup, which has given the selectors space to plan for the transition to T20I management.”In Punjab Kings, Iyer was named sarpanch. His swagger and carefree demeanor fit the aura. It comes from self-awareness. Bowling coach James Hopes, Ponting’s mainstay since their Capitals days, has witnessed the flamboyant 23-year-old become a 31-year-old leader in complete command.“He is very aware of what his perceived weaknesses have been over the years. He came into this season having really exploited them. When he got injured in Australia (in October last year), he was starting to beat them in international cricket as well,” Hopes said here on Saturday. “Once he finds his way back into the Indian team, you will see what kind of batsman he will be for the rest of his career. The captain is improving his batting,” added Hopes.Iyer was always in a comfort zone around Ponting. As a captain, hand holding is no longer needed. “He was very young when he captained Delhi. He is very well planned but still follows his gut,” Hopes said.
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“Ricky and Shreyas work well together. When we get to our meetings, he’s the captain. He steps up and has his own ideas, he’s willing to listen,” he added.Iyer is already the vice-captain of the ODI team. It is about how the Indian team management and selectors find a place for him in the T20 squad.
