Shreyas Iyer set to become India's T20I captain, maiden call-up for Vaibhav expected

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Jun 05, 2026

India's selectors are set to appoint Shreyas Iyer as the new T20I captain for the upcoming tour of Ireland and England, replacing Suryakumar Yadav, ESPNcricinfo reports.

Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is also expected to earn his maiden national call-up too. The move comes as India begin planning for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and the 2028 T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The T20I squad is expected to be announced on Saturday ahead of India's first T20I assignment since winning the 2026 T20 World Cup under Suryakumar's leadership.

Despite leading India to the title, Suryakumar is reportedly set to be left out of the squad following a modest World Cup campaign and an underwhelming IPL 2026 season.

The 35-year-old scored 242 runs in nine World Cup innings and managed only 270 runs in 13 IPL matches. Shreyas, meanwhile, has strengthened his case with impressive leadership and batting performances.

He captained Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024 and also led Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings to IPL finals. He scored 604 runs in IPL 2025 and followed it with 498 runs in IPL 2026 at a strike rate of nearly 169.

The biggest talking point, however, could be the inclusion of 15-year-old Sooryavanshi. The teenager is set to become the youngest player selected in an India men's squad since Sachin Tendulkar, having enjoyed a remarkable IPL 2026 season in which he scored 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30.

Before joining the senior squad, Sooryavanshi is scheduled to represent India A in a tri-series in Sri Lanka featuring Afghanistan.

India will face Ireland in two T20Is in Belfast on June 26 and 28 before taking on England in a five-match T20I series from July 1 to 11.