Trusted by IPL franchises, doubted in India's T20 blueprint: The Shreyas Iyer paradox

Shreyas Iyer is at a strange inflection point in his international career. Having secured his spot in the ODI team as vice-captain, he is a certainty in the format; however, his omission from India's T20 set-up continues to be an enigma. 

Having lacerated his spleen while fielding during the third ODI against Australia at the SCG on October 25, Iyer was never in contention for a spot in India's T20 World Cup squad as he continues his rehab. However, his two-year-long absence from India's T20 playing XI makes for an intriguing case study.

Iyer's last T20I appearance came against Australia on December 3, 2023. He top-scored (53 off 37 balls) for the team in trying conditions at a strike rate of 143.24 as India won the game by six runs.

He was then picked for a three-match T20I series against South Africa but didn't get a look-in. He was then dropped from the squad when India hosted Afghanistan for a three-match series at home in January as a prep for the T20 World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean.

While losing his spot in the T20I side was a major blow already, he also lost his place when the BCCI announced the list of 30 contracted players for the 2023-24 season on February 28, 2024.

What more must Shreyas Iyer do?

Despite the snub, Iyer showcased exemplary leadership during IPL 2024 and guided Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third title. In 14 innings, he scored 351 runs at a strike rate of 146.86 while remaining unbeaten five times. However, his impact in the IPL couldn't land him a place in India's T20 World Cup squad.

He also led Mumbai to their second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy later in the year with a five-wicket win over Madhya Pradesh and finished the tournament as the fourth-leading run-scorer with 345 runs in nine games at an eye-popping strike rate of 188.52. He also didn't trade consistency for flamboyance as his runs came at an average of 49.28, including a century and a half-century.

Iyer was snaffled by Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the IPL 2025 auction for INR 26.75 crore, and a change in jersey colour came with a daunting challenge - to lead one of the most underperforming franchises in the IPL.

Iyer aced the grueling test as he carried the side into the final, where they lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by the barest of margins. While his tactical acumen was lauded by everyone, he didn't let the pressure of captaincy get to his batting. The right-hander set the stage ablaze, racking up 604 runs in 17 games at a scintillating strike rate of 175.07 and an average of 50.33, including six fifties.

Notably, his strike rate of 175.07 was only behind Chris Gayle (183.13 in 2011) and Suryakumar Yadav (181.13 in 2023) among batters with over 600 runs in a single iteration of the IPL.

However, he was still not considered good enough to make India's Asia Cup squad as chief selector Ajit Agarkar asked him "to wait for his chance."

"With regards to Shreyas, not his fault, nor is it ours. It's just that you can pick 15 and at the moment you'll have to wait for his chance," Agarkar told reporters.

Suryakumar Yadav's worthy successor?

"In both T20 cricket (IPL) and Test cricket, Gill is already leading. He was also the vice-captain the last time he played in T20Is. We do see leadership qualities in him, and he showed his quality by exceeding expectations with the bat in England (during the Test series)," Agarkar said, explaining the rationale behind the selection of Shubman Gill in the Asia Cup squad.

Gill was given a long rope by the selectors, but couldn't really nail his place in the XI and was left out of the recently announced T20 World Cup squad. Notably, before Gill was named vice-captain, it was Axar Patel who was Suryakumar's deputy, and the spin-bowling allrounder has regained the responsibility following Gill's ouster.

While Axar Patel has yet to get an opportunity to lead the T20I side, he didn't have a remarkable season as captain of Delhi Capitals in 2025, winning six and losing as many games. Though he can make a case for himself as a leader once he gets opportunities, he may not warrant a place in the XI across conditions.

Axar can be a utility allrounder in the Indian subcontinent, but his place may come under scrutiny once India travel overseas in conditions inimical to spinners.

On the contrary, Iyer's record as captain speaks for itself. Having led three different franchises to the final of the cash-rich league, he has exhibited calm decision-making under mounting pressure and the skill to get everyone pulling in the same direction.

While Suryakumar was appointed as captain at 34, Iyer, still 31, has proven his leadership credentials and could be the answer to the question that has been tormenting the selectors - Who, after SKY in T20Is for India?