Why Iyer as India’s Next ODI Captain Makes Total Sense—Here’s My Two Cents

Cricket fans – let’s be honest: even legends retire. With media speculation swirling around Rohit Sharma’s future, along with chatter around Shreyas Iyer taking over the India captaincy, it seems timely to unpack why this makes sense. So, grab your chai (or your beer – this is a judgement-free zone!) and let’s unpack why Iyer may just be the future of India’s ODI side.

Proven Leadership DNA: Not Just Talking, Actually Winning Stuff

Let us stipulate Iyer is not just a good batter who might lead – he has been there and done that. How did Shreyas Iyer turn the Delhi Capitals from underdogs into IPL finalists for the first time in their history? A run put pressure on all established players back in 2020. Then, we fast-forward to IPL 2024, where he gets KKR back to hoist the trophy. Think his IPL success was luck? Iyer proved it wasn’t by steering Mumbai to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy crown and PBKS to the IPL final. With nearly a 60%-win rate over 87 IPL matches, Iyer has shown that leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about results.

Middle-Order Rock: The Calm in India’s Batting Storms

Shreyas Iyer, as a player, is all about reliability, flair, and finishing games when the pressure peaks. When in serious situations in ODIs, you want to have a player who not only is there when you need them, but can also produce when it matters most. That is Iyer. Those 11 innings weren’t just knocking; they were masterclasses—530 runs, a semi-final ton, and an average north of 66 to silence every doubter. Add to this the early 2025 Champions Trophy when he scored 243 runs from five innings with an average of just under 48, making two fifties, as India won the trophy.

Delivering under pressure in major tournaments is where Iyer truly shines. Across his ODI career of over 70 matches, he can boast nearly 2,850 runs, averaging close to 48 and with a strike rate of exactly 100. For a team that is reliant on momentum and depth, a smart, consistent, and reproducible middle-order batter ensures the other batters can play their own game. As captain, his calmness and maturity provide even more value – he steadies the ship as a player and, when needed, leads, as captain.

Fit, Focused & Future-Ready: The Captain That Can Grow with the Team

Let’s be honest: cricket’s a heavy gig. India juggles formats, tours, expectations—and Rohit’s passing the baton eventually. At age 30, Iyer brings longevity on tap—he’s fit, energetic, and focused on one format (ODI), which, given the workload in Test and T20 schedules, is exactly what the team needs. Meanwhile, that parallel captaincy structure—giving Test and T20 to someone like Shubman Gill if needed—makes total sense.

It’s tough to expect one player to carry captaincy across formats and still perform. Iyer, playing only ODIs among the current formats, can zero in on this role without burning out. And yes, this plays perfectly into planning for not just the 2027 World Cup but even beyond. The guy has enough in the tank to lead the ODI side near-term and mid-term, bringing stability and vision for the next cycle.

FAQs 

1. Why is Shreyas Iyer being considered for India’s ODI captaincy?

Because of his proven leadership success in IPL and domestic cricket, along with consistent ODI performances.

3. What is Shreyas Iyer’s career batting average in ODIs?

He averages around 48.22 in ODIs.

4. Why is age a factor in choosing him as captain?

At 30, he offers fitness, focus, and longevity for future ODI World Cups.