New Delhi: Shreyas Iyer He made a historic return to the India T20I side on Friday, making his debut as captain after the longest absence from the T20I side before leading the team in international matches.When Iyer pulled out of the first T20I against Ireland in Belfast, he had missed 63 consecutive T20 internationals for India since December 3, 2023 against Australia in Bengaluru. This staggering gap was the longest before captaining India in T20Is for the first time.The 31-year-old surpassed New Zealand’s Tom Latham, who made his T20I captaincy debut after missing 47 consecutive games between 2017 and 2021. Australia’s Rachel Haynes is third after a gap of 40 games between 2013 and 2017.Iyer, who previously played in T20Is during India’s six-match win over Australia, top-scored with a smooth 53 off 37 deliveries with five fours and two sixes.
Most consecutive T20 absences from the team before returning as captain
- Shreyas Iyer, India: 63 (2023-2026)
- Tom Latham, New Zealand: 47 (2017-2021)
- Rachel Haynes, Australia: 40 (2013-2017)
Captain’s debut brings more milestonesIyer’s return also adds two unique records to his name.At the age of 31 years and 202 days, he became the third oldest player in the Indian team to make his T20I captaincy debut, after Shikhar Dhawan (35 years and 232 days) and Suryakumar Yadav (33 years and 70 days). Rohit Sharma KL Rahul completes the top five.India’s oldest T20I captain at the time made his debut
- 35y 232d – Shikhar Dhawan
- 33y 70d – Suryakumar Yadav
- 31 years and 202 days – Shreyas Iyer*
- 30y 234d – Rohit Sharma
- 30y 143d – KL Rahul
The Mumbai batsman also emerged as the most experienced captain ahead of making his T20 debut for India. Ahead of Friday’s match, he leads the franchise and domestic cricket with 114 T20 matches, surpassing Rohit Sharma (80), Virat Kohli (72), KL Rahul (42) and Rishabh Pant (30).Leading in most T20s The then India T20I captain made his debut
- 114 – Shreyas Iyer
- 80 – Rohit Sharma
- 72 – Virat Kohli
- 42 – Rahul, Kuala Lumpur
- 30 – Rishabh pants
- 21 – Shikhar Dhawan
After winning the toss, Iyer elected to bat first on an unfamiliar surface in Belfast.“We are going to bat first. This is a new ground for us and it is the first time for most of us to play here. Considering the conditions, environment and wickets, we have decided to bat 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 male international cricketer.However, Iyer confirmed that the teenager will have to wait.When asked about the inclusion of Sooryavanshi, he said: “Unfortunately, no.”The captain explained that the balance of the squad dictated the decision, while assuring the youngster that his opportunity will come.
