Shreyas Iyer appointed India T20I captain, teen Vaibhav Sooryavanshi named in squad

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a major reshuffle of its men's T20 side on 6 June 2026. Shreyas Iyer was appointed the new T20I captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav, who was omitted from the squad entirely. The change was justified by selectors as a long‑term move after Yadav’s recent dip in form despite having led India to a World Cup win earlier in the year.

The 16‑member squad for the upcoming tours of Ireland (two T20Is in Dublin on 26 and 28 June) and England (five T20Is from 1–11 July) also includes 15‑year‑old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Sooryavanshi topped the IPL 2026 run‑scoring chart with 776 runs, won the Orange Cap and was named the tournament’s most valuable player. His selection makes him the youngest player ever to be named in India’s senior T20 side, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record. Tilak Varma was named vice‑captain, and the squad features a blend of youth and experience across batting, spin and pace departments.

The overhaul signals a new strategic direction ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the next T20 World Cup, with Iyer’s leadership credentials from multiple IPL titles and Sooryavanshi’s prodigious batting highlighted as key assets.