The debate around Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from India’s Asia Cup 2025 T20I squad has taken a fresh twist. Reports now suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering Iyer as the future ODI captain.
According to a report in Dainik Jagran, the board is already holding discussions—both formally and informally—about the leadership future of the Indian team across formats. The idea is to spread the workload instead of giving all responsibilities to one player.
Why Iyer Missed Out on Asia Cup Squad
The selectors announced India’s 15-man T20I squad for the Asia Cup starting September 9 in the UAE. Suryakumar Yadav will lead, while Shubman Gill returns as vice-captain.
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Iyer, however, failed to cut. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar hinted that it was difficult to find a spot for the 30-year-old in the current squad. This exclusion raised questions among fans, but the new reports may provide the answer.
The Captaincy Puzzle Across Formats
India’s packed cricket schedule is one reason behind the leadership reshuffle. Shubman Gill is already the Test captain and is being considered for future T20I captaincy too. However, the BCCI does not want him to lead in all three formats.
That’s where Iyer comes into the picture. Officials believe he could be the right choice to lead India in ODIs in the coming years.
Iyer’s Captaincy Depends on Rohit Sharma
The report claims that Iyer may become ODI captain as early as October during the Australia series. But this depends on Rohit Sharma’s decision about his ODI future.
A call will be made only after the Asia Cup. If Rohit, now 38, decides to step away from ODIs, Iyer is set to take charge. If that happens, he could even lead India in the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa.
The immediate focus for India remains the Asia Cup and then the busy international calendar. But if things go as planned, Shreyas Iyer might soon be handed the responsibility of guiding India’s ODI team into the next generation.
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