Exactly 780 days ago, on December 3, 2023, Shreyas Iyer last wore India’s T20 jersey. That match, played against Australia at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, saw Iyer produce a match-winning half-century, guiding India to victory. Yet, despite being the architect of that win, he would not feature in India’s T20 setup again for more than two years.
What followed was one of the most puzzling phases of Iyer’s career.
Even while being in arguably the best form of his career, the doors of the selection committee remained shut. When his return finally came, it was not through a confident recall—but as a forced replacement. At 31, Iyer’s comeback to T20 cricket arrived only because Tilak Varma was sidelined with injury.
The Missed Opportunity Everyone Expected
Following the Asia Cup squad announcement, expectations were high. Iyer had just finished an exceptional IPL season with Punjab Kings, and most assumed his return to the T20 squad was inevitable. But when the team was announced, his name was missing once again.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the omission bluntly:
“If Shreyas is included, you must tell us whom to drop. This decision isn’t because of his shortcomings. We selected the best 15. He will have to wait.”
That wait finally ended with his selection for the first three T20Is against New Zealand. However, the reality remains clear—once Tilak Varma regains full fitness, Iyer may have to make way again.
Why India Still Needs Shreyas Iyer
At present, Tilak Varma is India’s most consistent T20 batter, and a major pillar of India’s World Cup plans. But with just 21 days left before the T20 World Cup, India cannot afford to be without a reliable backup.
And the team management knows this well—there is no better insurance policy than Shreyas Iyer.
By selecting him for the New Zealand tour, India is clearly preparing Iyer as a World Cup-ready option, not just a stopgap.
A Season That Demanded Attention
Over the last year, Iyer has stamped his authority across franchise and domestic cricket. Leading Punjab Kings to the IPL final, he scored 604 runs in 17 innings at an outstanding average of 50.33, including six half-centuries.
Though he finished sixth in the Orange Cap standings, his strike rate of 175 was among the best in the tournament—making him one of the most destructive middle-order batters in the league. His ability to dominate spin bowling gives India exactly what they need in the middle overs, especially in Tilak Varma’s absence.
With Suryakumar Yadav struggling for form, Iyer’s role in the middle order becomes even more critical in the New Zealand series.
From Criticism to Comeback
From early in his career, Iyer faced criticism for his perceived weakness against short-pitched bowling. But recent performances suggest that narrative is changing. Through consistent training and technical adjustments, he has answered many of those questions with the bat.
In domestic T20 cricket, Iyer has amassed 1,104 runs in 47 innings, averaging 30.66, with eight half-centuries to his name. After missing nearly three months due to injury, he returned in the ODI series against New Zealand with a fluent 49-run knock, signaling that form and confidence are firmly back.
Leadership Signals and Bigger Implications
Some see Iyer’s return as a sign of deeper changes. Poor form saw Shubman Gill dropped from World Cup T20 plans, temporarily halting the BCCI’s long-term leadership transition strategy.
There are also reports that Board of Control for Cricket in India may see Suryakumar Yadav step down as T20 captain after the World Cup. With an excellent leadership record in franchise cricket, Iyer quietly emerges as a future captaincy option worth considering.
Other Squad Changes
Another key change in the New Zealand tour squad was the inclusion of leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi in place of the injured Washington Sundar, who sustained his injury during the first ODI in Vadodara. Bishnoi, playing his first T20 in nearly a year, impressed recently in domestic tournaments, picking up nine wickets in seven matches at an economy of 8.72.
The Road Ahead
As the T20 series kicks off on January 21 at the Vidarbha Cricket Stadium, India faces several challenges. Without their crisis manager Tilak Varma, can India national cricket team find momentum again? Can Shreyas Iyer turn a forced comeback into an undeniable claim?
With the T20 World Cup looming large, all eyes will be on Suryakumar Yadav and his men as they attempt to rebuild confidence, depth, and balance—just in time.
The stage is set.
The wait is over.
Now, it’s Shreyas Iyer’s moment to make it count. 🏏
