Shreyas Iyer makes historic captaincy debut for India in T20Is

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Jun 27, 2026, 6:00 AM

Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Shreyas Iyer makes historic captaincy debut for India in T20Is
Summary

Shreyas Iyer made his captaincy debut for India in T20Is on June 27, 2026, against Ireland in Belfast, following a 63-match absence from the format. He became the first player to lead a T20I side after the longest gap, also making him the third-oldest Indian T20I captain at 31 years and 202 days. During the toss, Iyer opted to field first, prioritizing team balance while confirming that 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi would not debut. Iyer's experience in T20 cricket totals 114 matches as a captain prior to his international debut.

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By the Numbers
  • Iyer's last T20I match was against Australia on December 3, 2023.
  • He surpassed New Zealand's Tom Latham for the longest gap before a T20I captaincy debut.
  • Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, aged 15, was passed over for his international debut.
  • Iyer led in 114 T20 matches before his debut, more than any other Indian.
  • Iyer chose to field first on a new surface in Belfast.
Latest Updates
  • 6:00 AMYahoo SportsNew era begins with a rare record as Shreyas Iyer scripts history on India captaincy debut
What they're saying
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Shreyas Iyer made a historic captaincy debut for India in T20Is after a significant 63-match absence, the longest such gap before leading the nation. At 31, he also became the third-oldest Indian T20I captain and the most experienced before his debut. Opting to field first in Belfast, Iyer confirmed the 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi would have to wait for his international bow, prioritising team balance.

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