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The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is nearing the business end, as we are left with three matches in the tournament in the group stages. As soon as the IPL ends, the India National Cricket Team will be travelling to Ireland for the T20I tour, and ahead of that, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, and Tilak Varma are three names as India men’s T20I captaincy candidates.
As per recent reports from News18, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are looking at the above-mentioned names as India’s next T20I captain. Ajit Agarkar and the selectors committee are looking to move ahead of the struggling Suryakumar Yadav, who is also catching up in age, and his batting has also been a question in IPL and for the national side as well.
Shreyas Iyer to become the next captain?
According to a PTI report, Punjab Kings (PBKS) Shreyas Iyer is a strong contender. However, head coach Gautam Gambhir will be taking on the final decision about India’s next T20I captain. The report also suggested that there’s uncertainty about his equation with Iyer, as the latter left the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), as he was upset with the fact that mentor Gambhir got credit for the IPL 2024 win.
Shreyas Iyer has been one of the best captains in white-ball cricket in recent times. He is also the vice-captain for the ODI team and plays one format. However, he has improved his shorter-format skills and has already led three IPL teams to the final and won once with KKR. He has been consistent in the T20 format as well.
Shubman Gill leading race for T20I captain
Apart from Shreyas, Shubman Gill, and Tilak Varma. As per the report, the former is one of the front-runners to lead because of his success with the Gujarat Titans GT), who have finished IPL 2026 in the top two, despite starting the season poorly. He has also been one of the highest run scorers in the tournament.
Tilak Varma is another contender, but not the most obvious one, as the Southpaw has been inconsistent in the IPL and finally found his grove in the latter stages of the league. “Don’t rule out Tilak if Surya is sacked. There’s a reason that Tilak has been made captain for tri-nation A series where selectors would get to see his leadership skills,” the report quoted a source as saying.
India’s batting order will have a shuffle
The big question will arise only if Shubman Gill is back as captain: where will Sanju Samson bat for the Men in Blue? The batting order will have a revamp as Sanju needs to come down at No.3, and Ishan Kishan, who was batting at 3, will be dropped down to 4.
Given the form of Ishan Kishan and his leadership qualities, he can also be a contender for the captaincy, as he has led the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) well in the absence of Pat Cummins. The decision will be taken after the completion of the IPL.
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