![Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer and Shresta Iyer [Source: AFP and Instagram]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1783572993523_ViratKohliandShrestaandShreyasIyer.jpg?type=hq)
Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer and Shresta Iyer [Source: AFP and Instagram]
After Shreyas Iyer was appointed as the captain of Team India, replacing Suryakumar Yadav for the Europe tour, expectations piled up on him. Suryakumar was effectively removed because of his poor form with the bat.
The Indian team management saw Shreyas Iyer as one of the perfect replacements, as he was in solid IPL T20 form and also led the Punjab Kings to a strong position in both the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
Shreyas Iyer lets down with first-ever captaincy stint
However, all of these expectations have turned against him as Iyer hasn't managed to win even one match since the Ireland series, after losing 2-0 to Ireland.
Shreyas has also been let down in the England series, where the first T20I was washed out, and the second and third T20Is were lost heavily by India to England.
With his terrible start, his sister, Shresta Iyer, has now come to the forefront to defend her brother while comparing him to legends like Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rohit Sharma.
Shresta Iyer calls Shreyas at par with India legends Kohli and Sachin
Speaking on a podcast called Filmy Gyan, Shresta Iyer was quite candid about her brother's captaincy stint with the Indian team. Despite the poor and humiliating start, Shresta was seen backing Shreyas while comparing him with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Sachin Tendulkar.
Shresta shared that even these players have lost multiple matches, and if the focus is only on Shreyas Iyer, then maybe the problem lies with the people.
"Look, Virat Kohli is a legend, Rohit Sharma is a legend, Sachin Tendulkar is a legend. Even these players have lost plenty of matches. But if you keep saying 'Shreyas, Shreyas, Shreyas' all the time, then maybe the problem lies with you, not him," Shresta said.
Although Shresta compared Shreyas with these legends in terms of captaincy record, this may not necessarily be the case for everyone.
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Shreyas Iyer vs Sachin, Gill, Rohit Sharma and Tendulkar’s record
India great Sachin Tendulkar started his captaincy stint back in 1996 in the ODI format. However, Tendulkar's track record was better than Shreyas', as he managed to win two of the first four games he captained. India managed to win against Zimbabwe and Pakistan while losing to Australia and Sri Lanka back in September.
Virat Kohli's track record was even better at the start of his captaincy for Team India. He took the helm on July 2, 2013, and his captaincy stint started with a defeat against Sri Lanka. Later, Kohli regained control with back-to-back wins against the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe in the ODI format.
Rohit Sharma's captaincy stint started back in December 2017, when he managed to win an ODI series against Sri Lanka 2-1. Following that, in his fourth game, in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, India registered a dominant 93-run win under Rohit Sharma's leadership on December 20, 2017, at Cuttack.
Overall, the beginning of these legends' captaincy stints was a success, with even Shubman Gill winning four out of five T20Is in his first series as captain. He also drew 2-2 in England in his second series, followed by a 2-0 win against the West Indies in his third series as captain.
Comparing Shreyas Iyer with these legends statistically puts his sister, Shresta Iyer, on the back foot. Nevertheless, the Instagram influencer has backed her brother to shine.
Shresta backs her brother to shine
Shresta Iyer believes that Shreyas is a very fine gentleman with a strong personality, and it is only a matter of time before success comes his way.
"I feel he's amazing. He has a very different personality, and I think he has a lot to offer. I know he has so much more to give than people realize. His time is coming, and it will come very soon. Touch wood, touch wood, yes. Very soon, people will say that Shreyas is one of India's best captains. I truly believe that," Shresta concluded.
Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy stint in danger?
As of now, Shreyas' job looks secure, with Gautam Gambhir and Co. having solid faith in him despite the initial failures. Such quick captaincy changes are not expected, and Shreyas has been backed as India's long-term T20I captain, at least until the 2028 T20 World Cup.
Shreyas will have a lot to prove ahead of that tournament and will have multiple games coming his way as India navigates another mini-transition phase with youngsters at the forefront.
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