When it comes to Indian cricket, the debate over who should wear the captain’s armband is never short of drama. Right now, all eyes are on Shreyas Iyer. He’s not just a stylish batter; he’s also carved out a reputation as a strong leader in the IPL. But is that enough to hand him the keys to India’s T20I team once Suryakumar Yadav steps aside? One man who doesn’t think so is Indian pacer Sandeep Sharma.
Let’s break this down.
Shreyas Iyer’s Rising Stock in the IPL
Shreyas Iyer’s resume in the Indian Premier League reads like the story of a man born to lead. Over the years, he’s guided not one, but multiple franchises to the big stage. First, it was the Delhi Capitals, where under his leadership they reached their maiden IPL final in 2020. Then came his stint with Punjab Kings. Most recently, he captained Kolkata Knight Riders all the way to glory, lifting the IPL trophy in the 2025 season.
And it wasn’t just his captaincy that made headlines. With the bat, Iyer had a season for the ages — more than 600 runs at a strike rate north of 175. For fans, pundits, and commentators, those numbers screamed one thing: here’s a guy who could lead India’s T20I future.
The Asia Cup Snub
Yet, cricket has a way of humbling even its brightest stars. Despite his dream IPL campaign, Shreyas Iyer found himself left out of India’s squad for the upcoming 2025 Asia Cup in the UAE. The format? T20Is. The omission raised eyebrows and fueled conversations — if not now, then when would Iyer get his shot? Some went even further, saying not only should he be in the squad, but he should also be wearing the captain’s armband.
Enter Sandeep Sharma: A Reality Check
That’s when Sandeep Sharma stepped in with a voice of caution. The pacer, who’s seen his fair share of cricketing battles, isn’t buying the “IPL captain equals India captain” argument. He made it clear — success in the IPL doesn’t automatically translate into international captaincy credentials.
He pointed to Suryakumar Yadav himself. Surya, now leading India in T20Is, has never captained an IPL team. And yet, he’s proven himself as a leader at the international level. Then there’s Rohit Sharma. The man who led India across formats for years didn’t spend recent seasons captaining an IPL franchise. Those examples, Sharma argued, show just how flawed the comparison can be.
The IPL vs. International Cricket Debate
Sandeep Sharma’s take boils down to one simple idea: the IPL and international cricket are two completely different ballgames. Yes, captaining an IPL team requires skill, but it’s not the same as leading a national side.
In the IPL, you’re managing a mix of domestic youngsters and overseas stars, juggling languages, cultures, and franchise expectations. International cricket? That’s about uniting a squad of elite players, carrying the hopes of a billion people, and making calls under the kind of pressure no league can replicate.
Sharma’s message was clear: treat the IPL as what it is — a domestic tournament, however glamorous — but don’t confuse it with the grind and gravity of international cricket.
Fans vs. Facts
It’s easy to see why fans push for Iyer as the next T20I captain. His IPL record is stacked with achievements. He’s young, charismatic, and knows how to handle big-match moments. But as Sharma reminded everyone, numbers and titles in franchise cricket don’t tell the full story when it comes to international leadership.
Leadership at the national level demands more than tactical sharpness. It requires handling senior players, setting the tone in the dressing room, and carrying the weight of expectations that only comes with playing for India. That’s not something you can measure in IPL stats or highlight reels.
Why Sandeep Sharma’s Opinion Matters
Some might brush off Sharma’s remarks as just another opinion in cricket’s endless debate culture. But his perspective carries weight because it’s grounded in reality. He’s played in the IPL. He’s seen the grind of international cricket. He understands the difference from the inside.
By pointing out examples like Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma, Sharma isn’t dismissing Iyer’s talent or leadership. He’s simply reminding everyone that India’s captaincy isn’t a prize for IPL success — it’s a role earned through proving yourself at the very highest level.
The Road Ahead for Shreyas Iyer
So where does this leave Shreyas Iyer? For now, he remains one of the brightest stars in Indian cricket, a batter in red-hot form, and a leader who’s already shown he can command respect. His time in the blue jersey is far from over, even if the Asia Cup snub stings.
But as far as captaincy is concerned, the message from voices like Sandeep Sharma is clear: patience. Let Iyer continue to grow, let him prove himself in international cricket first, and then revisit the conversation. For now, India has its captain in Suryakumar Yadav, and the focus remains on winning matches, not hypothetical future scenarios.
The Bottom Line
The debate over Shreyas Iyer as India’s next T20I captain captures exactly what makes Indian cricket so compelling — talent, passion, and never-ending discussion. But as Sandeep Sharma rightly pointed out, IPL leadership doesn’t automatically earn you the right to lead the national team.
Iyer’s journey is still unfolding. His bat is doing the talking, his leadership is making headlines, and his name is firmly in the mix. But the captaincy question? That’s one for another day.
Until then, Indian cricket marches on, with Suryakumar Yadav at the helm and Shreyas Iyer waiting in the wings — hungry, talented, and ready for whatever comes next.