New era begins with rare record as Shreyas Iyer writes history on India’s captaincy debut | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Shreyas Iyer marked his return to India’s T20I side in historic fashion on Friday, taking charge of the team on his captaincy debut in the format after the longest absence from T20Is before leading an international side.When Iyer went out for 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 remarkable gap is the longest by any player before captaining his national team in T20Is for the first time.The 31-year-old overtook 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-game span 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 a team before making a comeback as captain
- Shreyas Iyer of India: 63 (2023-2026)
- New Zealand’s Tom Latham: 47 (2017-2021)
- Australia’s Rachel Haynes: 40 (2013-2017)
The debut in Captaincy brings more stagesIyer’s return 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 completed the top five.Oldest at the time of India captain’s T20I debut
- 35 years 232 d – Shikhar Dhawan
- 33 years 70 d – Suryakumar Yadav
- 31 to 202 d – Shreyas Iyer *
- 30 years 234 d – Rohit Sharma
- 30 years 143 d – KL Rahul
The Mumbai batsman also became the most experienced T20 captain before making his India debut in the format. After leading 114 T20 matches in franchise and domestic cricket before Friday’s match, I surpassed Rohit Sharma (80), Virat Kohli (72), KL Rahul (42) and Rishabh Pant (30).Leader in most T20s at the time of India’s T20I captaincy debut
- 114 – Shreyas Iyer
- 80 – Rohit Sharma
- 72 – Virat Kohli
- 42 – KL Rahul
- 30 – Rishabh Pant
- 21 – Shikhar Dhawan
Winning the toss, Iyer chose to field first on an unfamiliar surface in Belfast.“We have to field first. It’s a new surface for us, and it’s the first time most of us have played here. Considering the conditions, the environment and the wicket, we decided to 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 would have to wait.“Unfortunately, no,” he said when asked about Sooryavanshi’s inclusion.The skipper explained that the balance of the team dictated the decision while assuring the youngster that his opportunity will come.
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