Shreyas Iyer has been named India’s T20I captain ahead of their New Zealand tour. The decision follows a World Cup victory that left fans buzzing and the team hungry for more.
Lockie Ferguson, the Kiwi pacer who shares the Punjab Kings locker room with Iyer, was quick to praise the new skipper. “The best captains I’ve played under stay consistent and don’t ride the ups and downs,” Ferguson said during a Sony Sports interaction. “Shreyas is calm, speaks clearly, and gives you feedback while letting you bowl to your plan.”
Ferguson added that Iyer handles the pressure of leading India with a level‑headed approach. “It can be difficult with the external pressures that come with playing for India, but he keeps his composure,” he noted. “He plays the game the way he wants to and captains the way he wants to.”
The appointment comes at a time when India’s batting depth is a key talking point. Iyer’s squad now boasts Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma and himself, a lineup that has proven resilient after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepped away from the format. Ferguson highlighted that the IPL has nurtured this talent pool, noting the lack of fear among players due to fierce competition for spots.
Ferguson also turned his gaze to young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has sparked interest since his inclusion in the T20I squad. “He’s a high‑quality player,” Ferguson said. “It’s an exciting opportunity for him to travel, experience New Zealand conditions and see how cricket is played here.”
With the tour set to kick off on October 22 in Christchurch, India’s next challenge is to assert dominance in a five‑match T20I series. The new captain’s leadership will be tested against a formidable Kiwi side that has a history of turning up the heat on visiting teams.