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Fans expected a fresh and exciting start under Shreyas Iyer when he was named India's new full-time T20I captain after the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 because of his success as an IPL captain. But just a few weeks later, things have gone completely differently.
Iyer is dealing with heavy criticism after failing to win any of his first five T20I matches as India's captain. It has been the worst start by any Indian captain in the history of T20I cricket. Out of those five matches, India lost four, while one game ended with no result because of rain. Amid his struggles, Iyer involved in funny conversation with a fangirl ahead of India vs England 4th T20I.
Shreyas Iyer's dream captaincy begins with historic disaster
Interestingly, Iyer has won the toss in all five matches. Only MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma had achieved that before him. But unlike those former Indian captains, the toss wins have not helped India get a single victory under the Mumbaikar.
Iyer also failed to deliver with the bat since making a comeback into the T20I side. Before leaving for England, he had a poor series against Ireland, scoring only 13 runs in two matches. However, the right-hander played a fighting knock of 68 from 47 balls in the first T20I against England.
In the second T20I, Iyer again made a useful contribution with 37 runs from only 22 balls, but he managed only five runs before being dismissed by the pace of Jofra Archer in the third T20I against England. Chasing 202 runs in the third T20I, India were bowled out for just 76 against England, their lowest total ever in T20I cricket.
Shreyas Iyer's sister takes indirect dig at MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma amid captaincy backlash
As India's poor run continued, criticism of Iyer's captaincy became louder. Many fans questioned whether he was the right choice to lead the team. Amid the struggles, Abhishek Nayar weighs in on Sanju Samson vs Tilak Varma debate after England defeat.
But. Iyer’s sister Shresta Iyer has now come forward to support him.
She said it was unfair to blame only her brother because many former Indian captains had also gone through difficult periods and lost matches, targeting the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni indirectly. She bluntly stressed that people have been focusing only on Iyer's failures.
Shresta Iyer was quoted as saying by Filmygyan, “These people have also lost a lot of matches, but if you just keep saying Shreyas Iyer, Shreyas Iyer, Shreyas Iyer, then maybe you have some problem with it. But I feel that he is amazing; he is a very different personality overall, and I think he has a lot to give and no one else has as much as him.”
One of India's Best Captains: Shreyas Iyer's sister makes massive statement
Shresta also said she has complete faith in her brother's leadership. She believes he has special captaincy qualities and still has a lot to offer Indian cricket. She is confident that very soon people will stop criticizing him and will instead talk about him as one of India's best captains.
She added, “I know that he has a lot more to give to Indian cricket and coming times, and that time is coming very soon. Touch wood. That time is going to come very soon when everyone will say that Shreyas Iyer is one of the best captains of India, and I believe it. It is there. It is already happening. He has the best leadership qualities.”
I never said it before but now this is too much, Shresta Iyer need to stop talking about Shreyas Iyer & stop involving in anything related to him coz it is bringing hate for Shreyas from fans.
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) July 8, 2026
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