New Delhi: Team India’s white ball setup could witness a major leadership change after the conclusion of IPL 2026, with Shreyas Iyer emerging as the leading candidate to captain both the ODI and T20I teams.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is reportedly considering appointing a single captain for both limited overs formats as part of its long term strategy. The move comes amid discussions within the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar regarding the future direction of the national side.
According to reports, the board is highly impressed with Iyer’s performances and leadership during IPL 2026. His consistency in white ball cricket and ability to guide his franchise under pressure have reportedly strengthened his case for a return to India’s T20I squad and a possible elevation to captaincy.
The development could also impact the future roles of current T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and ODI skipper Shubman Gill. While Suryakumar led India to the T20 World Cup 2026 title, concerns over his recent form have reportedly prompted discussions about a leadership change. Gill, who was seen as a long term ODI captaincy option after succeeding Rohit Sharma, may also face competition for the role if the board decides to go ahead with a unified white ball captaincy structure.
Sources indicate that the BCCI wants to strike a balance between developing young talent and retaining experienced players within the setup. Iyer’s recent performances are believed to have placed him at the centre of those plans despite injury setbacks in previous seasons.
India’s next international assignment begins on June 6 with a one off Test against Afghanistan, followed by a three match ODI series. The team will then travel to Ireland and England later in June for multiple white ball fixtures, where a revamped squad and leadership structure could potentially be unveiled.
