Shreyas Iyer’s red-hot run has kept Punjab Kings right at the top of the IPL 2026 table, and the captain’s form is turning heads again. Yet despite his strong domestic and franchise impact, it remains uncertain when — or if — he returns to the Indian men’s T20I setup, with injuries having previously disrupted his international rhythm. With the season progressing and selection conversations widening, fresh debate has also emerged around how India may build a deeper pool of match-ready players.
Key takeaways
- Punjab Kings are leading the IPL 2026 points standings and have remained unbeaten across six matches under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy.
- Iyer has produced three half-centuries from the five innings he has played so far in IPL 2026.
- His last appearance for India in T20I cricket came in 2023, and his return date is still unclear.
- In IPL 2025, he amassed 604 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07, and his strike rate has improved to 182.46 this season.
- Sanjay Manjrekar argued that Iyer’s lower-order role and selection concerns were unfair, and suggested he could fit in at No. 4 in T20 cricket.
- There are reports India’s selectors may prepare a 30–35 player pool so two strong T20 sides can be fielded simultaneously later in the year.
Iyer’s IPL surge and the T20I return question
Shreyas Iyer has enjoyed a dominant spell with the bat in IPL 2026, and Punjab Kings’ collective momentum has mirrored his impact. Under his leadership, the franchise sits first in the points table and has not tasted defeat in six consecutive outings.
While Iyer’s current output has been eye-catching, the bigger storyline is his uncertain pathway back to India’s T20I team. Injuries have repeatedly affected his career trajectory, and he has not played a T20I since 2023. Even so, he has continued to lead Punjab Kings, including guiding them to a runner-up finish in IPL 2025.
With Punjab Kings currently in a prime position to reach the 2026 playoffs, the question of whether Iyer will be considered for international selection again has resurfaced. Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes Iyer has legitimate grounds to feel aggrieved about how his performances translated into selection, particularly when he was asked to bat in tougher phases of an innings.
Manjrekar said it was “unfair” that Iyer’s displays down the order did not earn him a place in the Indian T20I squad, noting that those batting positions are often more difficult to execute consistently. He also commented that if Iyer’s frustration is directed at those responsible for the decision, that emotion is understandable.
He added that during IPL 2025, when Punjab Kings reached the final, Iyer had delivered a standout campaign. Manjrekar referenced a selection concern that Iyer was not committing enough to domestic cricket, instead focusing on other competitions, and suggested that this may have played a part in holding him back. With Punjab Kings now finding success again, Manjrekar argued that it would be hard to keep him away from the international set for that long.
Numbers from IPL 2025, captaincy talk, and a potential No. 4 role
Manjrekar also highlighted Iyer’s statistical improvements. In IPL 2025, Iyer scored 604 runs, striking at 175.07 and averaging 50.33. This season, his strike rate has risen further to 182.46, reinforcing the idea that his influence is growing with each match.
On the captaincy front, Manjrekar suggested Iyer could be a strong option for leadership in T20 cricket as well. He proposed that Iyer could occupy the No. 4 slot, pointing out that the batter can comfortably rotate the strike and take singles even when pitches slow down and start turning. He also emphasized that Iyer has shown skill against spin, which fits the demands of modern middle-order roles.
Manjrekar further noted that the captaincy pathway is always open, especially when there is no clearly established successor. He said that after Suryakumar Yadav, there is no obvious candidate at the moment, meaning Iyer could potentially “kill two birds with one stone” by contributing as both a key batter and a leader. However, he stressed that the discussion is premature because Iyer is not yet part of the Indian T20I team.
India’s reported plan: a bigger T20 pool for a crowded calendar
Beyond Iyer’s personal situation, there is wider planning underway for Indian cricket. Reports indicate that with the IPL consistently producing players who are ready to perform at the highest level, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering the creation of a 30–35 member talent pool. The idea is to ensure India can field two competitive T20 teams at the same time.
This approach is being discussed because India’s international commitments later in the year are expected to overlap. The Asian Games are scheduled to clash with a T20 series against the West Indies, making squad depth and flexibility crucial.
The players being considered reflect the increasing weight of IPL performance in national-team planning. In batting, names such as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Priyansh Arya, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi have reportedly drawn attention for their fearless approach at the crease. Rajat Patidar and Ayush Badoni have also been mentioned as part of the broader list under consideration.
For the all-rounder role, which often provides the balance needed in T20 matches, opportunities could open for Shashank Singh and Anukul Roy. Their versatility and ability to adapt to different match situations are cited as valuable traits for a two-team strategy.
On the bowling side, the selection picture appears to combine youth with experience. Ravi Bishnoi is highlighted as a standout in white-ball cricket, while Khaleel Ahmed (subject to availability), Prasidh Krishna, Ashok Sharma, and Kartik Tyagi are viewed as pace options.
Behind the stumps, Dhruv Jurel is named among the leading contenders. With selection conversations evolving, the overall direction suggests that leadership from within the IPL ecosystem could continue to matter, and it is also thought that a team led by Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer is a likely scenario as the season’s influence on national choices grows.
