Shreyas Iyer Achieves What Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma Couldn't In IND Vs ENG T20Is

Shreyas Iyer left MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli behind [Source: AFP]

The first T20I of the India tour of England 2026 was abandoned due to an incessant spell of rain at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street. 

However, the first half of the match witnessed some fireworks from the Indian batters, particularly Shreyas Iyer, Abhishek Sharma and Shivam Dube, as the tourists posted a respectable total of 189 for seven before rain spoiled the intriguing contest. 

While Abhishek Sharma smashed 59 runs off just 24 deliveries, Shreyas Iyer created a phenomenal record which legends like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma couldn't achieve as Indian captains in England. 

Shreyas Iyer redeems himself with a valiant fifty after Ireland debacle

Shreyas Iyer succeeded Suryakumar Yadav as India's new T20I captain ahead of the Ireland tour. 

The two-match series turned out to be a nightmare for Iyer, as he not only managed just 13 runs but also led India to their first-ever series defeat against Ireland. 

So, with critics doubting his selection as the Indian captain, Shreyas Iyer needed a breakthrough knock to put the outside noise to rest. 

When India lost two early wickets in the form of Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan inside two overs, Iyer got the perfect platform to step up with the bat and prove his credentials as the crisis man. 

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Unlike the Ireland tour, Shreyas Iyer didn't let India down this time, forming a consolidating stand of 82 runs with Abhishek Sharma. 

He eventually brought up a fighting half-century off 38 deliveries, thus creating a unique record, not achieved by either MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, or Virat Kohli as Indian skippers.

Shreyas Iyer leaves MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli behind with rare record

Notably, Shreyas Iyer became the first Indian captain to register a T20I fifty in England. He unlocked the major landmark in the first T20I between India and England at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street. 

MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the other players who have captained the Indian T20I team in England. However, none of these players has a fifty-plus score as a skipper in English conditions. 

Highest scores by India's T20I captains in England

Thus, Shreyas Iyer registered the highest score by an Indian captain in T20Is in England, surpassing Virat Kohli, who held the first position before he struck a half-century in Chester-le-Street. 

Rohit Sharma's highest score as India's T20I captain is 31, while MS Dhoni claims the fourth spot with an individual score of 30*. 

Shreyas Iyer regains form; Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan's abysmal run continues

Although Shreyas Iyer's historic fifty, which saw him surpass Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma on the elite list, powered India to 189 in 20 overs, the tourists must not shy away from addressing the batting slump of their two key players- Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. 

Samson, who propelled India to an epic T20 World Cup 2026 triumph with three outrageous knocks, finds himself in troubled waters following three consecutive poor outings on the UK tour. 

On a similar note, Ishan Kishan has managed only 13 runs in his last three outings, and with fans demanding Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's India debut, these two players must redeem themselves in the second match of the England series to avoid their T20I snubs. 

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