Shreyas Iyer is expected to lead RoKo in World Cup 2027. Credits- AFP
Shreyas Iyer is going through the purplest form of his life. Not only in his batting but also in captaincy. The Iyer-Ricky Ponting combo is working like a charm for the Punjab Kings, as they are looking like the top contender to lift the silverware in IPL 2026.
The PBKS captain has been one of the shrewdest minds in Indian cricket for quite some time now, which is why there have been talks about Shreyas Iyer taking over the reins from the current T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, who is struggling for form.
Shreyas Iyer will likely take over the Indian T20I duties soon after the IPL 2026. However, that is not the only bright news for his fans and admirers.
Shreyas Iyer to be named India's next ODI captain
Reported by NDTV Sports, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel is looking at one captain for both ODI and T20I teams, meaning Shreyas Iyer will take over the captaincy in both white-ball formats.
"Expect some changes when the new T20 team is announced. We are looking at one player helming both the T20 and ODI sides. Our focus is on both now. The BCCI wants to look at young talent while also giving opportunities to experienced players. Shreyas has done exceedingly well in the last few years; his injuries have been unfortunate," the report quoted.
"This year, he has led his IPL franchise with a lot of courage and dedication. Yes, he is the top contender for white-ball captaincy. Suryakumar Yadav has been our World Cup-winning captain, and his contributions will be rewarded as well," the source added, suggesting that the management will not completely overlook Surya's impact.
Also Read: Punjab Kings Coach To Join Indian Team After IPL
Slight dip in Shubman Gill's ODI form
Interestingly, the BCCI had named Shubman Gill as India's ODI skipper ahead of the Australia tour last year, just after Rohit Sharma had won the 2025 Champions Trophy. However, under Gill, the Men in Blue have lost bilateral series against Australia and New Zealand in the 50-over format.
The decision to make Gill the ODI captain came after he boldly led a relatively young Indian side in England, drawing the series 2-2. In the UK, the prolific batter was remarkable both as captain and batter, scoring 754 runs across five Test matches, including four centuries, with a best of 269 at Edgbaston.
However, Shubman Gill, who aces the most in ODIs, hasn't been himself recently, scoring just two tons in the format since 2025. Additionally, he failed against Australia and New Zealand, failing to meet his set standards.
On the contrary, Shreyas Iyer may have hit just two half-centuries in the two bilateral series, as many as Gill, but the former bats at number 4. Moreover, Iyer was India’s leading run-getter in the Champions Trophy 2025, with 243 runs in five innings.
India's blueprint for 2027 World Cup
Team India has been the best white-ball team in recent years, which resulted in the Men in Blue winning three back-to-back ICC titles. However, they also went on to lose a heartbreaking ODI World Cup in Ahmedabad back in 2023.
To avenge that, the BCCI and the team management are willing to leave no stone unturned in their preparation for the 2027 World Cup. It is understood that the board is looking to retain the same core from the Champions Trophy, with legendary Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma at meat of things.
Having said that, both Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill remain a vital cog of the core. However, the Indian side would need suitable finishing options and backup pacers, suited for the South African conditions.
Also Read: Mohammed Shami’s India Comeback Talks Begin In BCCI
