Shreyas Iyer Sets T20I Captaincy Record for India on Debut

Shreyas Iyer began his stint as India's T20I captain with a record already to his name. When he walked out for the toss in the opening T20I against Ireland in Belfast on Friday, he became the player with leading in the most T20s before making his captaincy debut for India in the format. When he walked out for the toss against Ireland in Belfast on Friday, Iyer had already captained 114 T20 matches across franchise and domestic cricket — the most by an Indian before taking charge of the national side in the format.

Leading in most T20s at the time of India T20I captaincy debut

114 Shreyas Iyer

80 Rohit Sharma

72 Virat Kohli

42 KL Rahul

30 Rishabh Pant

21 Shikhar Dhawan

At the toss, Iyer chose to field first at the Civil Service Cricket Club. India went in with three specialist fast bowlers, one pace-bowling all-rounder and two spinners. Teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was not included in the playing XI despite expectations that he could make his international debut. Explaining the decision, Iyer said, "Unfortunately no (Sooryavanshi's debut). He's a gun player but we have some tremendous players who have done well for us so we are backing them. He will get his chance when the time comes," backing the opening combination of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. At 31 years and 202 days, Iyer also became the third-oldest player to make his T20I captaincy debut for India, behind Shikhar Dhawan (35 years, 232 days) and Suryakumar Yadav (33 years, 70 days). Rohit Sharma (30 years, 234 days) and KL Rahul (30 years, 143 days) complete the top five.

Oldest at the time of India T20I captaincy debut

35y 232d Shikhar Dhawan

33y 70d Suryakumar Yadav

31y 202d Shreyas Iyer *

30y 234d Rohit Sharma

30y 143d KL Rahul

Iyer made his T20I debut against New Zealand in 2017. In 52 T20 internationals, he has scored 1,104 runs at a strike rate of 136.12.