Cricket fans have had plenty to celebrate in the opening stretch of the year, with India lifting the T20 World Cup 2026 before attention quickly shifted to the ongoing Indian Premier League. As a long spell of international cricket builds toward the summer, national sides have started sharpening their squads, and IPL performances continue to act as a high-visibility proving ground for players chasing a return to the top level. One name that has remained under the spotlight is India batter Shreyas Iyer, whose future in the country’s white-ball plans is still not fully settled.
Iyer’s uncertain place in India’s white-ball plans
Shreyas Iyer has been at the centre of discussion for some time, particularly over whether he fits into India’s shortest-format setup. Iyer has already played more than 125 international matches and crossed the 4,000-run mark in international cricket for India. However, despite that record, he was left out of India’s T20I squad, with his most recent appearance coming against Australia in 2023.
Since that omission, India have gone on to win consecutive T20 World Cups, yet Iyer missed those triumphs as well. In the period that followed, his involvement has been limited—he has featured in roughly 16 matches, largely in the ODI format rather than T20Is. The decision also drew attention because it came after he was removed from the BCCI Central Contract list, with the rationale tied to his limited involvement in domestic cricket, even though he was not on national duty.
IPL resurgence: captaincy and major impact since 2024
While Iyer’s international status has remained a talking point, his IPL output since 2024 has been hard to ignore, both with the bat and as a leader. He first steered Kolkata Knight Riders to their first championship since 2014. Later, he also guided Punjab Kings to their first IPL final in ten years, although they again finished as runners-up last season against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
For all the runs and captaincy moments, there has still been frustration among former voices in Indian cricket about why he has not been able to lock down a consistent role in the T20 format. Former India middle-order batter and current commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has gone as far as describing Iyer’s situation as a “raw deal” for a player of his calibre.
What Manjrekar said and why it matters
Speaking on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast, Manjrekar argued that it was “unfair” for Iyer that his performances down the order did not translate into a call-up to the Indian T20I team, because those are among the most challenging batting positions. Manjrekar’s view was that if a player carries that kind of frustration about being treated this way, it is understandable.
He further added that the concern in selection circles had been about Iyer’s level of commitment to domestic cricket—suggesting that he was focusing more on other tournaments. Manjrekar pointed out that the results with Punjab Kings, especially with Iyer at the helm, show that the decision may have cost India valuable T20 talent for too long.
Why the 2025 campaign strengthens the argument
Manjrekar’s stance gains momentum when viewed through Iyer’s 2025 IPL season. Punjab Kings backed his talent and leadership by signing him for ₹26.75 crore ahead of the tournament. Iyer repaid that faith by playing a major role in taking the franchise to their first IPL final in 11 years.
Punjab Kings finished at the top of the league table with 19 points, and Iyer’s personal numbers matched the team’s momentum. He amassed 604 runs in 17 matches, including a decisive innings of 87 against a strong Mumbai Indians side in the playoffs.
- Iyer was retained by Punjab Kings with a ₹26.75 crore deal ahead of the season.
- Punjab Kings reached their first IPL final in 11 years under his leadership.
- The side topped the points table with 19 points.
- Iyer scored 604 runs across 17 games.
- He produced a match-winning 87 against Mumbai Indians in the playoffs.
What could happen next: a path back to India’s T20 setup
With Suryakumar Yadav’s future still under question, Manjrekar believes Iyer has something to prove in the current IPL season—and that his performances could strengthen his case for the future. But he argued that any long-term outcome has to start with Iyer earning a stable place in India’s national team.
Manjrekar suggested that there could be an opening for Iyer at number four, describing him as someone who can rotate the strike, find singles on slower, turning surfaces, and also handle spin effectively. He also maintained that Iyer has already done enough to merit selection not only in T20 cricket, but in 50-over formats as well.
Regarding leadership, Manjrekar pointed out that the captaincy option is always on the table. In his view, the key issue is the absence of an obvious successor after Suryakumar Yadav, and that creates a scenario where Iyer’s return could potentially solve two problems at once. Still, Manjrekar stressed that it is too early to declare anything definitively, especially because Iyer is not even currently part of the Indian squad.
- Manjrekar believes Iyer could fit at number four in T20s.
- He sees Iyer as capable on slow, turning pitches and against spin.
- He argued Iyer has done enough to deserve a place in India’s T20 side and also in 50 overs.
- He highlighted captaincy as a possibility, especially given uncertainty around Suryakumar Yadav and a lack of an obvious alternative.
- He added that it remains premature to decide anything fully since Iyer is not currently in the Indian team.
