Shreyas Iyer needed to anticipate his time, but it surely has certainly come sooner somewhat than later. The appropriate-handed batter changed Suryakumar Yadav because the T20I captain earlier this yr; nonetheless, his first match in cost did not go based on plan because the Males in Blue went down by 34 runs in opposition to Eire within the first T20I of the two-match sequence in Belfast on Friday. Iyer, who wasn’t part of the T20 World Cup 2026-winning squad, performed his first T20I for India on Friday after a niche of two years.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan lately weighed in on the appointment of Shreyas because the skipper, saying he thought Ricky Ponting would turn out to be India coach when he first heard about Iyer’s elevation within the T20I setup.
Vaughan then spoke concerning the formidable pair Shreyas and Ponting have shaped over time within the IPL. The 2 are at the moment concerned with the Punjab Kings, with Shreyas as captain and Ponting as coach. The duo had earlier labored in unison on the Delhi Capitals as properly.
The previous England skipper additionally talked about India’s bench energy proper now and the way few groups would be capable to drop their T20 World Cup-winning captain. Suryakumar Yadav was axed as captain after a poor run of kind in worldwide and IPL cricket and was changed by Shreyas.
“After I heard it for the primary time, I assumed Ricky Ponting can be the coach. These two come as a pair. He’s an excellent captain, excellent participant, and that tells you the way a lot depth and energy you might have in Indian cricket, significantly in T20, if you end up dropping the captain who simply lifted the T20 World Cup. I am unsure that may occur in another nation,” Vaughan stated on Ajinkya Rahane’s YouTube channel.
‘India favourites’
Vaughan, who led England to the Ashes win in 2005, stated that India are favourites for the upcoming 5 T20Is in opposition to England, starting July 1. He additionally added that the Harry Brook-led aspect can be required to play out of their pores and skin to defeat India within the five-match sequence.
“Nice alternative for Iyer, a few years away from the following T20 World Cup. He’ll know he is acquired a beautiful group to work with within the England tour, and you have to say that India are going to be favourites for the sequence; they at all times are, they’re the most effective group on the planet. England must produce some good cricket to compete with them,” Vaughan stated.
Earlier than the England sequence, India would hope to finish the Eire tour on a excessive and stage the two-match sequence within the second T20I on Sunday in Belfast.
