New Delhi: Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has said that Shreyas Iyer’s leadership will be under close scrutiny in the upcoming T20I series against England, but stressed that the real examination for the new captain will be his batting performance in challenging English conditions.
India are set to begin a five-match T20I series against England from July 1, with Iyer leading the side for the first time in the shortest format. The series comes after India’s mixed recent form and growing debate over team selection, including discussions around teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Leadership challenge in English conditions
Pujara said that while Iyer has shown strong leadership qualities in the Indian Premier League, international captaincy in England will be a far tougher assignment.
“It is going to be challenging for Shreyas Iyer to become the third Indian skipper after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to win a T20I series in England. There is no doubt about that. Playing in English conditions, even with better white-ball pitches, is still a different kind of challenge,” Pujara told JioStar.
He added that Iyer’s return to T20Is after a gap of two years makes the task even more demanding, especially with the pressure of captaincy added on top.
Batting form under the scanner
While backing Iyer’s leadership abilities, Pujara emphasised that his batting will be the key factor in determining success during the tour.
“The real test will be with his batting. He will have to prove himself in the middle order and deliver in English conditions,” Pujara said.
He further noted that consistency with the bat will define how effectively Iyer handles the dual responsibility of captaincy and performance in a competitive series.
Support for captaincy credentials
Despite highlighting the challenges, Pujara expressed confidence in Iyer’s ability to manage the role effectively, pointing to his recent success in the IPL with Punjab Kings.
“But as a captain, I don’t have doubts about him. He has done a great job with Punjab Kings in the IPL, and that is why he has been given this role. He is a proactive leader, leads from the front, and gives freedom to his players,” he said.
Sooryavanshi hype continues in background
Pujara also touched upon the growing attention around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old batting prodigy who has been included in India’s squad. However, he suggested that the youngster may have to wait for his opportunity given the depth in India’s top order.
Conclusion
As India prepare for a high-profile tour of England, attention will be firmly on Shreyas Iyer’s ability to balance leadership and batting responsibilities. With experienced voices like Pujara weighing in, the series is already being seen as a defining early test for India’s new T20I captain.