Ashwin Backs Shreyas Iyer for an India T20I Return After Stellar IPL Form
Ravichandran Ashwin says Shreyas Iyer’s form, improved play against short balls and leadership at Punjab Kings make a strong case for a T20I comeback.
By SportCricket Desk · 19 Apr 2026 · 2 min read
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has urged selectors to bring Shreyas Iyer back into the India T20I set-up. In his view Iyer should be considered whatever the team combination, given his current form and impact.
A batter in the zone
Ashwin said Iyer’s presence at the crease is intimidating for bowlers. He described a player in a zone where everything fits together, from preparation through to execution.
He also credited Iyer’s hard work, especially against short-pitched bowling, saying the Punjab Kings captain has turned a weakness into a scoring strength. For Ashwin, that is a good-to-great journey.
Leadership at Punjab
Ashwin pointed to Iyer’s growing influence as a captain. Under him, Punjab Kings reached the IPL 2025 final and have kept up their momentum in IPL 2026, sitting top of the table with four wins from five matches and one washout.
He added that Iyer has built a relaxed, team-friendly environment where players communicate openly and trust one another, which helps them perform with confidence.
Ashwin concluded that being both a dominant batter and an inspiring leader makes Iyer a lethal combination in modern cricket.
