The announcement of Shreyas Iyer as captain of India’s T20I side signals the start of a new era as the team turns its attention to defending its T20 World Cup crown at the 2028 edition.
Shreyas’ appointment was long anticipated. He proved his leadership credentials by guiding Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third IPL title in 2024. Earlier, he had led Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) to the finals in 2020 and 2024.
His domestic record is equally strong, having captained Mumbai to their second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumph in 2024. His appointment reflects the selectors’ trust in his ability to lead India in the shortest format.
While Shreyas is expected to take India to greater heights, the selectors must also consider a backup option in case he falters.
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Rajat Patidar: The strongest contender to replace Shreyas Iyer as India’s T20I captain
The most compelling candidate is Rajat Patidar. When he took charge of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2025, the franchise had no titles to its name. Rajat changed that narrative immediately, leading RCB to their maiden IPL crown in his debut season as captain.
Achieving it once was historic, but repeating the feat was monumental. Rajat guided RCB to back‑to‑back titles in 2026, making them only the second team in IPL history after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) to win consecutive championships.
His captaincy record is outstanding, with 20 wins and just 8 losses in 28 matches. This translates to a win percentage of 71.42%.
Rajat’s batting credentials
Rajat’s case is further strengthened by his batting record in the IPL. At 33, he has scored 1612 runs at an average of 33.58 and a strike rate of 164.48. His tally includes 1 century and 14 fifties, along with 106 fours and 110 sixes. A natural boundary hitter, Rajat combines aggressive batting with calm leadership, making him a complete package.
Shreyas Iyer’s appointment reflects India’s intent to build a strong leadership core ahead of the 2028 T20 World Cup. With Rajat Patidar waiting in the wings, India have a formidable backup option who brings both tactical acumen and batting firepower.
