The new era begins with a unique record as Shreyas Iyer writes the history of the start of captaincy in India Cricket News:
NEW DELHI: Shreyas Iyer marked his return to India’s T20I side in historic fashion on Friday, leading the team in his captaincy debut in the format after the longest absence from T20Is before leading an international side.When Iyer came out for the toss in the opening T20I against Ireland in Belfast, he had missed 63 consecutive T20 internationals for India since his previous appearance against Australia in Bengaluru on December 3, 2023. The remarkable gap was the longest by any player before he captained their national team in T20Is for the first time.The 31-year-old surpassed New Zealand’s Tom Latham, who made his T20I captaincy debut after missing 47 consecutive matches between 2017 and 2021. Australia’s Rachel Haynes is third on the list after a 40-match gap between 2013 and 2017.Iyer’s previous T20I appearance came in India’s six-run win over Australia, where he top-scored with a fluent 53 off 37 deliveries, hitting five fours and two sixes.
Missed most consecutive T20Is for a team before returning as captain
- Shreyas Iyer of India. 63 (2023-2026)
- Tom Latham of New Zealand. 47 (2017-2021)
- Australia’s Rachel Haynes. 40 (2013-2017)
The captain’s debut brought many milestonesIyer’s comeback also saw him add two more unique records to his name.At 31 years and 202 days, he became the third oldest player to make his T20I captaincy debut for India, behind only Shikhar Dhawan (35 years, 232 days) and Suryakumar Yadav (33 years, 70 days). Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul completed the top five.India’s all-time T20I debutant captain
- 35y 232d – Shikhar Dhawan
- 33y 70d – Suryakumar Yadav
- 31y 202d – Shreyas Iyer*
- 30y 234d – Rohit Sharma
- 30y 143d – KL Rahul
The Mumbai batter also became the most experienced T20 captain before making his India captain debut in the format. In leading 114 T20 matches in franchise and domestic cricket before Friday’s match, he surpassed Rohit Sharma (80), Virat Kohli: (72), KL Rahul (42) and Rishabh Pant (30).Has led most T20s during the T20I India’s opening captain
- 114 – Shreyas Iyer
- 80 – Rohit Sharma
- 72 – Virat Kohli
- 42 – KL Rahul
- 30 – Rishabh Pant
- 21 – Shikhar Dhawan
Winning the toss, Iyer chose to bat against an unfamiliar face in Belfast.“We will take the field first. This is a new surface for us, and this is the first time most of us have played here. Considering the conditions, the environment and the wicket, we have decided to take the field first,” he said.One of the biggest talking points ahead of the match was whether 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi would make his international debut and become India’s youngest male international cricketer.However, Iyer confirmed that the teenager will have to wait.“Unfortunately, no,” he said when asked about Sooryavanshi’s inclusion.The captain explained that the balance of the team dictated the decision while assuring the youngster that his chance will come.
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