Iyer backed as T20I captain by Ponting [Source: AFP]India won the T20 World Cup earlier this year, and despite Suryakumar Yadav leading from the front as the leader, the BCCI decided to remove him from the captaincy position, and Shreyas Iyer was given the job. The decision was met with mixed reviews, as many felt removing Suryakumar was a harsh call from the board.Iyer’s first assignment as the T20I captain didn’t go according to plan as India suffered a shock 0-2 defeat against Ireland, followed by another series defeat against England. He tasted success in Zimbabwe, but critics have argued that Iyer has struggled to replace Suryakumar in the game's shortest format.Ricky Ponting backs Iyer to lead India till his retirementIn the IPL, Iyer captains the Punjab Kings, and he works under the astute guidance of Ricky Ponting, who is the coach of the franchise. In an exclusive interview with Sports Today, Ponting showered praise on Iyer’s leadership, and he wants the Mumbaikar to lead the T20I team till he retires.IndiaToday @IndiaToday In an interview with India Today's @NikhilNaz , former Australian captain and Punjab Kings head coach @RickyPonting shared his perspectives on India's upcoming Test series against Australia and Shreyas Iyer's leadership of the Indian T20I side. Ponting noted that India must Sep 1, 2026, 11:31 PM "I can’t speak highly enough about Shreyas. I made my point pretty clear when I spent as much money as I did on him in the auction (IPL 2025). I wanted to work with him again.I knew I could bring the best out of him as a player, but I also wanted to work with him again as a captain and leader."He was awesome. I had no doubt in my mind that he was the right man for the Indian T20 captaincy, and I think he’ll be the right man for that job until he retires from T20 cricket," Ponting opines.Why Ponting wants India to give time to Iyer as T20I captainIyer and Ponting have worked together in the Delhi Capitals (formerly known as the Daredevils), and the duo is currently associated with the Punjab Kings. The pair first tasted success when Iyer replaced Gautam Gambhir as the Delhi Daredevils captain, and he instantly transformed the team.Also Read: India Should Lock Shreyas Iyer For 2027 World Cup; Data Reveals Why Tilak Varma Must WaitIn the 2019 season, he led the franchise to their first playoffs in seven years, and in the following year, the Delhi-based team reached the IPL final for the first time.Iyer then went. to KKR, and he led them to their third IPL championship in 2024 before Ponting swept him in the 2025 mega auction, and Iyer was appointed the Punjab Kings captain.In his debut season for Punjab, the Mumbaikar helped them reach the finals, but they eventually lost against the RCB side. Together, Iyer and Ponting have achieved considerable success, and the former Australian player has always held the Indian player in the highest regard. Hence, he has backed Iyer to continue leading the T20I side.Who are the contenders to give tough fight to Iyer for T20I captaincy role?While Ponting has backed Iyer to lead the T20I team, there is no guarantee that the right-handed player will lead the team in the next T20 World Cup that takes place in 2028.According to the latest report, the BCCI will conduct a performance review meeting to review India’s dismal performances on the UK tour (which was Iyer’s first assignment as T20I captain).India were expected to beat Ireland, but for the first time, the Men in Blue lost a T20I series against them, and it happened under Iyer’s watchful eyes. Moreover, there are plenty of candidates who have the credentials to replace him as the new T20I skipper.With Shubman Gill helping the Gujarat Titans reach the IPL final in 2026, whispers have started that he can be brought back into the team, and he could be the front-runner for the captaincy post. Moreover, there is Tilak Varma, who has been backed by the Mumbai Indians and India, and they view him as the future captain.Also Read: Quinton De Kock Equals Virat Kohli’s T20 Record In Elite Company
