Shreyas Iyer officially began his tenure as India’s T20I captain with an inspiring message to his teammates during the team’s training session in Belfast, ahead of the opening match of the two-game series against Ireland. Taking over from World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav, Iyer wasted no time in outlining the values he wants the Indian dressing room to embrace as the team enters a new chapter in the shortest format.
Moments after head coach Gautam Gambhir congratulated him on becoming captain, Iyer addressed the squad with a passionate speech centred on unity, trust and creating a strong team culture. The stylish batter stressed that representing India is both an honour and a responsibility, urging every player to support one another on and off the field while enjoying the journey together.
“Let’s try and build a solid culture going forward. It’s my first opportunity to captain the Indian team, and it’s definitely an honour and a privilege. Going forward, I want to create a culture where all of us are protecting and supporting each other through thick and thin. More importantly, when we are out here, let’s have as much fun as possible,” Iyer said.
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He also encouraged the squad to play fearless cricket with complete belief in their abilities. “This is a family. Let’s play like lions and approach every game believing we are going to win. Let’s create an atmosphere where we celebrate each other’s success and keep lifting one another,” he added.
India’s training session also attracted attention because of 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is in line to make his international debut during the Ireland series. The teenage opener spent nearly an hour in the nets, facing an extended batting session under the close supervision of Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak.
Start of something special 🌟
🎥 Glimpses of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s first time in the #TeamIndia nets 🤩#IREvIND pic.twitter.com/zp3mPMch5R
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 26, 2026
While Sooryavanshi’s potential debut dominated conversations among fans, the significance of Iyer’s appointment as captain should not be overlooked. Over the past few IPL seasons, Iyer has established himself as one of India’s finest leaders. He guided Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings to IPL finals before leading Kolkata Knight Riders to the championship under Gambhir’s mentorship.
Despite his impressive leadership credentials, Iyer remained outside India’s T20I setup for nearly two years because of fierce competition for middle-order places. However, back-to-back outstanding IPL campaigns and consistent domestic performances forced the selectors to reconsider him. With India’s experiment of grooming Shubman Gill as vice-captain failing to produce the desired long-term solution, the selectors eventually placed their trust in Iyer to lead the side into the next T20 World Cup cycle.
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The challenge ahead is significant, as he inherits a team that recently lifted the T20 World Cup under Suryakumar Yadav. Expectations will be high from the outset, but Iyer’s proven leadership record, calm temperament and successful partnership with Gautam Gambhir provide India with a strong foundation as they begin a fresh era in T20I cricket.
