NEW DELHI: Shreyas Iyer marked his return to India’s T20I side in historic fashion on Friday, taking charge of the side on his captaincy debut in the format after the longest absence from T20Is before leading the side at international level.When Iyer left the toss in the opening T20I against Ireland in Belfast, he had missed 63 consecutive T20 internationals for India since his previous appearance against Australia in Bengaluru on December 3, 2023. The incredible gap is the longest by any player before captaining their national team in a T20I for the first time.The 31-year-old surpassed New Zealand’s Tom Latham, who made his T20I captaincy debut after missing 47 consecutive matches between 2017 and 2021. Australia’s Rachel Haynes is third on the list after a 40 match difference between 2013 and 2017.Iyer’s previous T20I appearance came in India’s six-run win over Australia, where he top-scored with a fluent 53 off 37 deliveries, hitting five fours and two sixes.
Most consecutive T20Is missed for the team before returning as captain
- Indian Shreyas Iyer: 63 (2023-2026)
- Tom Latham of New Zealand: 47 (2017-2021)
- Rachel Haynes from Australia: 40 (2013-2017)
The captain’s debut brings several milestonesIyer’s comeback also saw him add two more unique records to his name.At 31 years and 202 days, he became the third oldest player to make his T20I captaincy debut for India, behind only Shikhar Dhawan (35 years, 232 days) and Suryakumar Yadav (33 years, 70 days). Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul complete the top five.Oldest at the time of India’s T20I captaincy debut
- 35y 232d – Shikhar Dhawan
- 33y 70d – Suryakumar Yadav
- 31y 202d – Shreyas Iyer*
- 30y 234d – Rohit Sharma
- 30y 143d – KL Rahul
The Mumbai batsman also became the most experienced T20 captain before making his India captaincy debut in the format. After leading 114 T20 matches in franchise and domestic cricket before Friday’s game, he surpassed Rohit Sharma (80), Virat Kohli (72), KL Rahul (42) and Rishabh Pant (30).Leading in most T20s at the time of India T20I captaincy debut
- 114 – Shreyas Iyer
- 80 – Rohit Sharma
- 72 – Virat Kohli
- 42 – KL Rahul
- 30 – Rishabh Pant
- 21 – Shikhar Dhawan
Having won the toss, Iyer decided to field first on an unfamiliar surface in Belfast.“We will take the field first. It’s a new surface for us and it’s the first time most of us have played here. Given the conditions, the environment and the goal, we decided to take the field first,” he said.One of the biggest talking points before the match was whether 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi would make his international debut and become India’s youngest international cricketer.However, Iyer confirmed that the teenager will have to wait.“Unfortunately, no,” he said when asked about Sooryavanshi’s inclusion.The captain explained that team balance dictated the decision as he assured the youngster that his opportunity would come.
