‘Don’t want to live in anyone’s shadow’: Shreyas Iyer asserts himself upon becoming T20 captain

Mumbai: India’s new T20 captain, Shreyas Iyer, has made his intentions clear. Shreyas stated that while he welcomes the challenge of captaincy, he will not alter his identity for it. He emphasized that he does not wish to lead the team while living in anyone’s shadow; instead, he aims to take Team India forward in his own unique style.

Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Shreyas Iyer openly discussed the captaincy. He remarked that taking charge of Team India is both a matter of pride and a responsibility, yet he does not believe in changing who he is. Iyer said, “I have been entrusted with the captaincy, and it is a fantastic challenge for me. However, I do not need to change my personality for it. I will remain the same person I have always been. I will not try to be like anyone else, nor do I wish to live in anyone’s shadow.”

His statement comes at a time when Indian captains are frequently compared to their predecessors; Iyer has clearly signaled his desire to carve out a distinct identity. Shreyas Iyer’s journey has not been easy. After playing his last T20 International in December 2023, he remained out of the team for a long period, missing out on major tournaments like the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup. While selectors were looking in other directions, Iyer let his performance on the field do the talking. He consistently scored runs in domestic cricket and impressed everyone with his captaincy in the IPL.

A stellar IPL record was the primary driver behind Shreyas Iyer’s comeback. He led the Kolkata Knight Riders to the Indian Premier League title in 2024. Subsequently, he guided the Punjab Kings to the final in 2025 and once again showcased exceptional leadership skills in 2026. His greatest strengths as a captain are considered to be his ability to remain calm under pressure and extract the best performance from his players. It is these qualities that have paved the way for him to captain the Indian team.

Interestingly, the duo of Gautam Gambhir and Shreyas Iyer will be working together once again. They played pivotal roles in leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to the title in IPL 2024. However, while Gambhir received much of the credit for the team’s success at the time, Iyer’s captaincy did not garner as much attention. Now, the two will collaborate within the Indian team in the roles of coach and captain. This is precisely why Iyer’s statement—”I do not want to live in anyone’s shadow”—is generating significant buzz; it is being viewed as a reflection of his independent mindset and his desire to carve out his own identity.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is currently building a new team with an eye on the upcoming T20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Handing the captaincy to Shreyas Iyer, following Suryakumar Yadav, is seen as part of this transition. Shreyas will face the challenge not only of winning matches but also of building a team capable of securing ICC trophies for India in the years to come.