MUMBAI, June 5: Shreyas Iyer is set to be named India’s new T20I captain when the national selection committee meets on Saturday to finalise squads for the upcoming white-ball tour of the UK and the Asian Games in Japan.
The UK tour will begin with two T20 Internationals against Ireland in Belfast on June 26 and 28, followed by a series against England comprising five T20Is and three ODIs starting July 1.
The selectors are also expected to announce the squad for the Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya during September-October, in order to meet deadlines set by the organisers.
Young batter Tilak Varma is likely to be appointed vice-captain, while 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is expected to receive his maiden senior India call-up.
Suryakumar Yadav, who led India to the T20 World Cup title earlier this year, is reportedly set to lose the captaincy and may also be dropped from the squad due to poor form over the past 18 months and concerns surrounding a wrist injury.
Iyer, who was not part of India’s T20 World Cup squad, is expected to occupy the No. 4 batting position. The 31-year-old is being rewarded for his impressive leadership record in the IPL, having guided three different franchises — Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings — to IPL finals, winning the title once.
His consistent performances with the bat and success as a captain have strengthened his case for national leadership, despite Punjab Kings’ decline in the latter half of this year’s IPL season.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar is expected to announce separate squads for the UK tour and the Asian Games. Despite a scheduling clash with a home white-ball series against the West Indies, the BCCI is likely to field a strong squad for the continental event.
Tilak Varma could lead the Asian Games side, with Sooryavanshi also expected to feature in the T20 squad. Fast bowler Prince Yadav and left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey are among the new names being considered after earning places in India’s Test and ODI squads for the Afghanistan series.
Meanwhile, selectors are also expected to deliberate on a possible comeback for veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who impressed with 28 wickets in the IPL. However, the committee will weigh his long-term prospects, particularly with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and T20 World Cup in Australia on the horizon. (Agencies)
