Indian cricketers who haven’t been anywhere near the T20I team are making strong cases to be included in the squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. First it was Ishan Kishan, who scored his maiden IPL hundred, and now it’s Shreyas Iyer.
Shreyas Iyer sizzles on PBKS debut
Making his debut as Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain, the batter recorded his highest IPL score, 97*. The previous best was 96 for the Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils) while playing against the Gujarat Lions. Shreyas was on his way to a maiden hundred, much like Kishan, but sacrificed it for the greater good of his new team, Shashank Singh revealed after his innings.
But this 97-run knock is good enough to throw his hat into the ring. The T20 World Cup 2026 is still about 11 months away. This gives Shreyas enough time to present his case and the selectors the time to consider all the options in front of them.
Change in T20 approach
Shreyas’ T20I record isn’t great. But one mustn’t forget that his last match for Team India in the shortest format came in December 2023. This was before the T20 revolution in Indian cricket. From backing anchors, the Men in Blue have turned their focus on those with high intent.
This has made Shreyas change his approach as well. In the last IPL season, he struck at 146.86 and averaged 39. It may not seem that quick, but it was his best season. Both in average and strike rate.
But he’s upped his game. The 97-run knock against the Gujarat Titans came from just 42 balls. A strike rate of 230.95. Had he scored those three runs in the next two balls and scored his maiden IPL hundred, it would have been the second fastest by an Indian batter in the league.
Competition in the T20I team
Shreyas has already confirmed that he’ll bat at number three for PBKS in the IPL 2025 season. This will give him a chance to score big. But there is a downside as well. To play at three for Team India, he has to battle Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma. The former is the India T20I captain, while the latter is the most in-form T20I batter in the world.
Is Shreyas Iyer India’s best player of spin in white-ball cricket?
Playing ahead of them both is virtually impossible. However, he might have a chance to slot himself at number five. While head coach Gautam Gambhir likes all-rounders and has played Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube in the position. But Shreyas, as a batter, is better than both.
He’s also an incredible spin hitter. His shots against Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore were ample proof. Given the T20 World Cup 2026 will be played in Sri Lanka and India, you need batters who are great players of spin. And in white-ball cricket at the moment, Shreyas might be India’s best.
