3 Reasons Why Shreyas Iyer Succeeding Rohit Sharma As India’s ODI Captain Could Be The Right Move

Indian cricket stands at the cusp of a new era. The last decade was defined by the leadership of stalwarts like MS Dhoni, who engineered India’s golden run across formats, and Virat Kohli, who raised the bar with his unmatched aggression and fitness culture. Now, with Rohit Sharma guiding the team in its current phase, questions are inevitably being asked about the future.

Rohit, who turned 38 this year, is still India’s most dependable opener in ODIs, but with the 2027 World Cup just two years away and a punishing schedule ahead, the selectors are reportedly considering fresh options for leadership in the 50-over format.

Among the names discussed, one stands out: Shreyas Iyer. Known for his composure, technical excellence in the middle order, and tactical sharpness as a leader, Iyer represents both continuity and change. If India is indeed looking beyond Rohit, then Iyer emerges as a strong candidate for the ODI captaincy.

Here are three compelling reasons why Shreyas Iyer could be the right man to lead India’s ODI team into the future.

1. Proven Leadership Experience in High-Pressure Environments

Captaincy in Indian cricket is not just about on-field tactics. It comes with the weight of expectations from over a billion fans, media scrutiny, and the responsibility of managing dressing room dynamics. Shreyas Iyer has already shown that he thrives in such conditions.

The IPL Pedigree

Iyer first burst into the leadership spotlight with Delhi Capitals earlier in his career, taking them to the IPL final in 2020. But it was his later stints that cemented his credentials. Leading Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, Iyer guided the franchise to their third IPL title, showing an astute ability to rotate bowlers, read situations, and back his players. His calm, measured approach stood in stark contrast to some captains who faltered under pressure.

In 2025, he switched to Punjab Kings, a franchise often criticized for inconsistency. Under Iyer’s leadership, they staged a remarkable turnaround and finished runners-up, their best result in years. That season displayed his ability to inspire underperforming teams and bring out the best in young players.

Calm Under Fire

One of Iyer’s standout traits as captain is his composure. Whether defending a modest total in a crunch game or managing high-stakes chases, he rarely lets emotions override judgment. This calmness is reminiscent of MS Dhoni’s “ice-cool” approach, a trait India has historically benefitted from.

He has also shown tactical flexibility — not hesitating to make bold moves like shuffling batting orders or deploying part-time bowlers in key overs. Such instincts are vital in ODIs, where momentum can shift quickly.

Handling Senior Players and Youngsters

Leading India would mean managing a team where legends and rising stars co-exist. Iyer has already proved his ability to work with diverse personalities — from overseas veterans in IPL squads to India’s young domestic talents. This ability to strike the right balance between respect for seniors and trust in youngsters is crucial for the national job.

2. A Scintillating Middle-Order Batter Who Leads by Example

Leadership is often about leading from the front. In the ODI format, few in the current crop have been as consistent and impactful in the middle order as Shreyas Iyer.

The Numbers That Speak

In just 70 ODIs, Iyer has amassed 2,845 runs at a superb average of 48. His tally includes 22 half-centuries and 5 centuries, underlining his ability to convert starts and stabilize innings. These aren’t just empty numbers; many of these runs have come in crunch situations when India needed someone to anchor the innings after early wickets.

Unlike some batters who falter against quality spin or express pace, Iyer has proven adaptable. His ability to rotate strike against spinners is especially valuable in ODIs, where middle overs often decide the flow of the game. Against fast bowlers, his strong back-foot play and fearless intent make him a complete package.

Performing on the Big Stage

Iyer has also shown a knack for delivering on the big stage. He played crucial roles in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, finishing as the team’s leading run-scorer with 243 runs. Earlier, his consistency in home series against Australia and South Africa cemented his role as India’s middle-order backbone.

For a captain, runs matter. Teams rally around a leader who performs under pressure. With Iyer, India gets both — a consistent ODI run-machine and a skipper who can lead by example with the bat.

Filling the Middle-Order Void

Since the retirement of Yuvraj Singh and the fluctuating form of others, India’s middle order has often looked fragile. Iyer’s reliability plugs that hole. Appointing him as captain doesn’t just solve a leadership question; it secures India’s batting core for the foreseeable future.

3. A Long-Term Investment in India’s Future

Indian cricket selectors are not just picking for the next series — they’re planning for the next World Cup cycles. Here, Shreyas Iyer’s age and experience make him the perfect bridge between generations.

Age on His Side

At 30, Iyer is entering the peak years of his career. He has already seen highs and lows — from injuries that kept him out for months to stunning comebacks that proved his resilience. This mix of experience and hunger makes him ideally placed to take on long-term responsibility.

If groomed now, Iyer could lead India through two major cycles — the ODI World Cup 2027 and the Champions Trophy 2029. Unlike Rohit Sharma, whose international career may wind down after 2025, Iyer offers selectors the comfort of stability.

Continuity Beyond Rohit and Kohli

India has always thrived under captains who offered vision beyond the immediate. Dhoni’s elevation in 2007 was seen as a gamble, but it paid off with a T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, and Champions Trophy. Similarly, Kohli’s appointment ensured consistency in Test cricket.

By turning to Iyer now, the BCCI can script another smooth transition. He would be leading a core group that includes the likes of Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal — players expected to be India’s pillars in the late 2020s. Building chemistry with this generation under one leader could be the strategic masterstroke India needs.

A Captain Who Understands Modern ODI Cricket

ODIs today demand innovation. Captains must manage workload, rotate bowlers smartly, and maximize powerplay overs while ensuring stability in the middle. Having played extensively in IPL and international cricket, Iyer understands these dynamics better than most.

His style is adaptive: aggressive when needed, but cautious enough to ensure India avoids collapses. Such balance is crucial in an era where ODIs must be played with the intensity of T20s but the patience of Tests.

Challenges Ahead for Shreyas Iyer

While the case for Iyer is strong, challenges remain. Injuries have disrupted his career in the past, raising questions about durability. Critics also point to his occasional struggles against short-pitched bowling, though he has worked hard to overcome that weakness.

Moreover, India is not short of captaincy options. KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Rishabh Pant have all been mentioned as potential leaders. Each brings unique qualities, and Iyer would need to outshine them not just with the bat, but with his vision for the team.

Handling the pressure of expectations is another hurdle. The IPL is high-stakes, but nothing compares to leading India in a World Cup semi-final. Iyer would need to show that his calmness can withstand the glare of international scrutiny.

Why Now Is the Right Time

Timing is everything in cricket. With Rohit Sharma nearing the twilight of his career, Virat Kohli likely to focus more on Tests, and India looking at long-term planning, the window is open.

Appointing Iyer as ODI captain now — even if initially on a trial basis for bilateral series — would give him valuable time to shape the team. By the time the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia arrives, Iyer could have a settled squad under his command.

Delaying the decision risks India entering another ICC event with uncertainty over leadership, a scenario that has hurt them in the past.

A Leader for the Next Era

The Indian cricket team is in transition. Legends like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will not be around forever. The future demands a captain who can handle pressure, inspire confidence, and lead from the front with consistent performances.

Shreyas Iyer ticks all those boxes.

He has proven leadership experience, guiding IPL franchises to success.
He is a world-class middle-order batter, capable of anchoring innings and scoring under pressure.
He represents a long-term investment, someone who can take India through two major World Cup cycles.

Yes, challenges exist — fitness concerns, competition for captaincy, and the ever-present glare of expectations. But the rewards of backing Iyer could be immense.

As India looks ahead to the 2027 World Cup, it may just be time to hand the reins of ODI cricket to a man who has the skill, temperament, and vision to lead a new generation: Shreyas Iyer.

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