Shreyas Iyer is building a case so strong that it may be difficult for India’s selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir to overlook him when the next T20I opportunity arrives. The Punjab Kings captain has been in ruthless touch throughout the IPL 2026 campaign, piling up runs with a mix of patience and acceleration that’s been hard to contain.
In one recent outing, Iyer struck an unbeaten 69 off just 33 balls as PBKS chased down a target of 220. The innings powered Punjab to the finish with seven wickets in hand and seven balls to spare, underlining how effectively he’s been steering the chase.
Quick facts
- Shreyas Iyer scored an unbeaten 69 off 33 balls in IPL 2026.
- PBKS chased 220 successfully with seven wickets and seven balls to spare.
- Iyer scored over 600 runs in the previous IPL season and led Punjab Kings to the final for the first time in 11 years.
- Despite that impact, the 31-year-old was not picked for India’s T20 World Cup squad.
- Iyer debuted for India in T20Is in 2017 and last played a T20I in 2023.
- He was included for the New Zealand series because Tilak Varma was injured.
- Manoj Tiwary said he would protest if Iyer still isn’t selected for India’s XI in the shortest format.
- Virender Sehwag said he was “surprised” Iyer missed the World Cup team despite consistent IPL form.
- So far in IPL 2026 (four matches), Iyer has 137 runs at an average of 68.50 and a strike rate of 187.67.
Even with his standout form, Iyer found himself left out of India’s T20 World Cup squad. The right-hander, now 31, had made his T20I debut in 2017 and his most recent appearance in the format came in 2023. He did enter India’s set-up for the tournament’s lead-in series against New Zealand, but that inclusion came after Tilak Varma picked up an injury.
Calls for inclusion grow
Watching Iyer’s IPL performances, former India batter Manoj Tiwary delivered a firm message about his continued omission. Tiwary suggested that if the batter is still not named in India’s playing XI after such numbers, he would raise a protest and push for Iyer to be given the opportunity he deserves.
“He showed great composure in his batting. If, even after this, he is not selected for the Indian team, we will go on a protest and fight for him. We will try that he gets what he deserves,” Tiwary said on Cricbuzz, backing his claim with Iyer’s recent control in matches.
Tiwary also argued that India needs a player who can consistently manage pressure and influence outcomes in major ICC events. He pointed to the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, adding that the team requires someone who can help deliver results through complete control in T20 cricket.
Virender Sehwag, part of the same discussion panel as Tiwary, echoed the frustration in sharper terms. The former India opener said he struggled to understand why Iyer failed to secure a spot in the World Cup squad despite repeatedly showing up in the IPL.
“Shreyas finished the match for his team. He did the same in the previous match. Shreyas has been doing this for a long time. I am surprised that he wasn’t able to get a spot in India’s World Cup team. He did so well in the previous IPL, leading Punjab Kings to the final. I just hope he is able to get a place in the Indian team for the next T20 World Cup,” Sehwag said.
Sehwag then underlined his stance again, reiterating that his surprise would not go away. “I will repeat once again that I am surprised that Shreyas wasn’t a part of India’s T20 World Cup team. I hope that he gets his spot in the T20 team after this year and he is able to cement his place,” he added.
With the IPL moving through its next stages, Iyer’s numbers are only strengthening the argument. In the four games he has played so far in IPL 2026, he has amassed 137 runs at an average of 68.50 and a strike rate of 187.67, continuing the kind of form that has made his selection feel increasingly overdue.
