Team India Share Verdict On Shreyas Iyer’s Future As Captain

Shreyas Iyer with Gautam Gambhir | Source- AFP

Team India faced another shameful defeat on the ongoing UK tour, losing five out of six matches played against Ireland and England. Under the newly appointed T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, the T20 World Champions have yet to win in the shortest format since lifting the trophy in Ahmedabad earlier this year.

Although Iyer has been brilliant with the bat, scoring the most runs in the IND vs ENG T20Is, his captaincy has been under the radar.

The 31-year-old slammed an unbeaten 80 at Bristol as India posted 158/7 on the board, but the hosts chased down the target in 13.5 overs (with nine wickets in hand), without dropping a beat.

Shreyas Iyer, Gautam Gambhir on thin ice as India get 0-3 down vs ENG

As the T20 World Champions are getting exposed in the ongoing IND vs ENG T20I series, the captain-head coach duo of Shreyas Iyer and Gautam Gambhir are under the pump.

Fans, pundits and former cricketers are continually pointing out the poor decisions made by the team management. Moreover, if reports are to be believed, then the head coach will be rested on the Zimbabwe tour and the Asian Games 2026, with the BCCI looking to test VVS Laxman there.

However, the coaching staff, led by Gambhir, is firm with their ideology. The head coach recently backed his decision to play Prince Yadav under tough conditions after the loss in Nottingham.

Ryan ten Doeschate asks to cut some slack for Shreyas Iyer

After India's defeat to England in the fourth T20I, India's assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, has defended the Indian T20I captain, Shreyas Iyer. While backing the BCCI's decision, he asked fans to give the skipper and the team some time, as they are in a transition phase.

The former Netherlands all-rounder also stated that it's a tough time for the team, with Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah rested. Moreover, the results going against India aren’t helping their cause.

"You know, Surya was a fantastic leader, but if you weigh up where he is age wise and you're looking two years down the line with Australia, you have to make really tough calls and there's gonna be a million opinions about it and the immediate backlash of you know, transtioning to new captain, and then losing two games against Ireland and being 0-3 down in a series in England," Ryan ten Doeschate said in the presser after India's loss to England in Bristol.

"We have made a few changes to the squad that we have brought out here. You know, Hardik (Pandya) and Jasprit (Pandya) make a big difference to the team."

Sam

@cricsam02

🔴 STOP BLAMING SHREYAS IYER – COACH SAYS HE NEEDS TIME 🤯 🎙️: Ryan ten Doeschate backed Shreyas, saying he deserves time as captain. He praised Iyer's leadership, accountability, and batting, urging everyone not to judge him after just a few matches.

Jul 10, 2026, 7:30 AM

Shreyas Iyer's batting backed by India coach

The assistant coach later backed Shreyas Iyer, the batter, who has been the best batter for India on this difficult tour, especially coming into the T20I team for the first time since 2023.

"Not in his defence, you know, we have got a different squad with slightly different weapons. We need to give Shreyas a bit of time to grow into the role and for the players to adapt to his captaincy style as well. He has started really well, leading from the front with the bat, who hasn't been a part of a very successful team, in tough situations," the assistant coach added.

The stylish batter has notched 190 runs in four innings at a dazzling average and equally well strike rate. He also equalled a rare Virat Kohli in this series, but all his runs have come in losing causes.

The fifth and final T20I between India and England will be the last chance for Iyer to make amends on this tour. The two powerhouses will face off for one last time in Southampton on Saturday (July 11).