• Shreyas Iyer captains India A in a One-Day series against Australia A starting September 30 in Kanpur
• Iyer's leadership is under scrutiny with selectors monitoring his performance for a potential senior leadership role
• Chief selector Ajit Agarkar endorses Iyer's captaincy based on his IPL success and maturity but no discussions yet
Amid a generational shift in Indian cricket, Shreyas Iyer faces a pivotal moment as he leads India A against Australia A from September 30 in Kanpur, with selectors watching closely. However, captaincy with the 'A' side is no guarantee to leading India. Selectors say ODI captaincy has not been discussed but they continue to show faith in Iyer at lower levels.
At the same time, the right hander remains out of contention for the Test side after opting to rest from red ball cricket for the next six months. This becomes a critical moment for Iyer who is considered among the most astute leaders in India right now.
India A Captaincy: Stepping Stone to Senior Leadership
As the Indian cricket team prepares for a generational shift, Shreyas Iyer stands at the centre of this transition. The selectors appointed Shreyas Iyer as captain of the India A squad for the three-match one-day series against Australia A, starting on September 30 in Kanpur. This leadership role puts his captaincy credentials under renewed scrutiny as discussions about a post-Rohit Sharma era intensify.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has publicly endorsed Iyer’s captaincy credentials, citing his IPL success and maturity in the white-ball format. However, he wants Iyer to perform with the bat rather than focus on captaincy.
"I don't think we have discussed the ODI format yet. Shreyas is a senior player, he leads his franchise in IPL. He is one of the senior guys. He was captain of India A previously, doesn't mean we are looking at him as our Test captain. You're trying to find qualities of a leader in all lot of people. India A gives the opportunity," Agarkar said after announcing India squad for the West Indies Test series.
"The statement came on his red-ball career just came out, and that gives us a chance. He has been key in ODIs. He gets three games before we go to Australia. More than anything we want him to play well," he added.
Earlier reports of Iyer getting ODI captaincy have also been denied by BCCI.
Red-Ball Hiatus: Prioritising Fitness and Longevity
Behind the scenes, Shreyas Iyer is making a calculated playing decision. Following recurring back spasms linked to his 2023 surgery, he opted for a six-month break from red-ball cricket. This break means he will miss the Irani Cup, the West Indies Test series.
The BCCI supported his decision, framing it as a long-term investment in his fitness and endurance. In modern cricket, where managing player workload is as strategic as team selection, Iyer’s choice reflects a broader trend towards career longevity.
Australia ODI Series: Audition for Future Captaincy?
Next month, selectors are likely to pick the senior Indian squad for a high-stakes three-match ODI series in Australia. As Agarkar noted, Iyer will be a key part of the batting line-up for India.
With established stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma also expected to return, attention will focus on his batting fluency, his ability to stabilise the middle order, and his leadership presence on the field.
This series could be pivotal not only for his run tally but also for how he positions himself as a future captain. Key questions remain: Can he anchor innings under pressure, and will he bridge the gap between veterans and the emerging next-generation?
