BCCI Quashes Shreyas Iyer ODI Captaincy Rumours
Speculation has been rife that Shreyas Iyer could be in line to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s next ODI captain, with multiple reports suggesting the 29-year-old batter is leading the race. A BCCI source even told NDTV that the management wanted to relieve Rohit, who is nearing the twilight of his career, of his leadership burden.
However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has strongly denied such claims. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Saikia said:
“That’s news to me. There have been no such discussions.”
Why the buzz around Iyer?
Iyer’s name gained traction after he was surprisingly left out of the Asia Cup 2025 squad, a decision that raised eyebrows. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Iyer’s exclusion was purely due to squad limitations:
“With regards to Shreyas, it’s not his fault, nor is it ours. It’s just that you can pick 15, and at the moment you’ll have to wait for his chance.”
Iyer’s Form & Records
- Champions Trophy 2025 (CT 2025): India’s highest run-getter and the tournament’s second-highest, with 243 runs in 5 matches (avg. 48.60), including two fifties.
- IPL 2025: Best season of his career with 604 runs in 17 matches (avg. 50.33, SR 175.07), featuring six half-centuries and a best of 97*.
- Since T20 World Cup 2024: Played 26 T20Is, scoring 949 runs (avg. 49.94, SR 179.73), with one century (130*) and seven fifties.
The Bigger Picture
With Rohit Sharma expected to gradually reduce his workload, the debate over India’s future ODI leadership is only intensifying. While Iyer’s strong recent form puts him in contention, the BCCI has made it clear that no official captaincy talks have taken place yet.
