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Shreyas Iyer faces captaincy test as India prepare for New Zealand T20Is

Updated On: 22 October, 2026 10:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Rohan Koli

Shreyas Iyer faces a crucial test as India prepare for the T20I series against New Zealand. Despite a recent unbeaten century, his inconsistent returns as captain and modest T20I record against the Black Caps remain areas of concern

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India skipper Shreyas Iyer warms up in Christchurch on Wednesday. Pic/AFP

India skipper Shreyas Iyer warms up in Christchurch on Wednesday. Pic/AFP

Tough early days as skipper

166
No. of runs scored Iyer in seven T20I in New Zealand @ 33.20
590
No. of runs scored by Shreyas Iyer as captain in 21 T20Is @ 34.70

Since taking over as India’s T20I captain, middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has not had a great run. In 21 matches, he has scored 590 runs at an average of 34.70, with consistency eluding him. Other than his maiden T20I century — an unbeaten 102 against the West Indies earlier this month — and an unbeaten 80 against England in July, Iyer has managed just one other half-century — 68 in the opening T20I against England in July. Before his century against the Windies, the Mumbaikar had scored just 206 runs in his previous 10 innings, with a highest score of 29. His inconsistent returns have coincided with a mixed run for India, who have won only two series under his captaincy — against lower-ranked Zimbabwe and Afghanistan — while suffering away-series defeats to Ireland and England. India also drew their five-match series against the West Indies 2-2 recently.

Mixed record against Kiwis

Iyer’s overall record against New Zealand is quite impressive in Tests and ODIs, but his T20I numbers tell a different story. In 13 T20Is against the Black Caps, he has scored 225 runs at an average of 25.00 and a strike rate of 124.31, with just one half-century. However, in 13 ODIs against them, he has totalled 671 at a brilliant average of 55.91, with his highest score being a pressure-defying 105 off just 70 balls in the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final. Then, in the two Tests he has played against NZ, Iyer has totalled 202 runs at a fine average of 50.50, with the lone Test ton coming in Kanpur in 2021.

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