Is Shreyas Iyer the New Captain of India 'A' for the One-Day Series Against Australia 'A'?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a significant development, Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as the captain of the India A team for a series of one-day matches against Australia A. This comes amid his recent health concerns, prompting a six-month break from red-ball cricket. Rajat Patidar will lead the Rest of India for the upcoming Irani Cup. Stay tuned for more insights!
Key Takeaways
- Shreyas Iyer appointed as captain of India A.
- India A to play against Australia A in Kanpur.
- Rajat Patidar leading Rest of India for Irani Cup.
- Iyer is taking a six-month break from red-ball cricket.
- Health issues prompted the break and affected his selections.
Mumbai, Sep 25 (NationPress) Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as the captain of the India A team for a trio of 50-over matches against Australia A. Meanwhile, Rajat Patidar will lead the Rest of India team for the Irani Cup, as announced by the senior men’s selection committee on Thursday.
The matches for India A are set to take place in Kanpur, commencing from September 30, while the Irani Cup will be contested against Vidarbha, the champions of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, in Nagpur starting from October 1.
Iyer previously captained India A in the first unofficial four-day Test against Australia A but opted out of the second match, requesting a six-month hiatus from red-ball cricket due to ongoing back issues. The BCCI has granted his request.
In a statement, the BCCI noted, "Shreyas Iyer has communicated his decision to take a six-month break from red-ball cricket. After undergoing back surgery in the UK and managing his recovery, he has recently faced recurring back spasms and stiffness during long-format games. He aims to use this time to enhance his endurance, build body resilience, and improve his fitness. Consequently, he was not selected for the Irani Cup."
Iyer has struggled with back issues since December 2022, with the injury resurfacing during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in March 2023. Following surgery in April, he missed the IPL that year and faced exclusion from India’s series against England in February 2024.
Earlier this year, Iyer was India's leading run-scorer (243 in five innings) and the second highest overall in the pursuit of the Champions Trophy title. He later guided the Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 finals but was overlooked by selectors for the Men's T20 Asia Cup.
Importantly, the fast-bowling pair of Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh, currently in the UAE for the Asia Cup, will join the India A squad for the second and third one-day matches on October 3 and 5, respectively.
India A squad for the 1st one-day match: Shreyas Iyer (C), Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam, Nishant Sindhu, Gurjapneet Singh, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek Porel (WK), Priyansh Arya, Simarjeet Singh
India A squad for the 2nd and 3rd one-day matches: Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Verma (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam, Nishant Sindhu, Gurjapneet Singh, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek Porel (WK), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh
Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup: Rajat Patidar (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Aryan Juyal (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad (VC), Yash Dhull, Shaikh Rasheed, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Saransh Jain
Point of View
This appointment of Shreyas Iyer as captain of India A reflects the board's trust in his leadership and potential. Despite recent health challenges, his experience and performance history render him a valuable asset to the team. The decisions made by the selectors show a balanced approach, ensuring both immediate and long-term team stability.
NationPress
25/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Shreyas Iyer appointed captain?
Shreyas Iyer was appointed captain due to his leadership experience and previous performance with India A, despite facing recent health challenges.
What is the schedule for the India A matches?
India A will play three one-day matches against Australia A starting from September 30 in Kanpur.
Who will lead the Rest of India team?
Rajat Patidar has been named the captain of the Rest of India team for the Irani Cup.
What health issues has Shreyas Iyer faced?
Shreyas Iyer has been dealing with recurring back problems that led him to request a six-month break from red-ball cricket.
What is the significance of the Irani Cup?
The Irani Cup is a prestigious domestic cricket tournament in India, showcasing the best talent in the country.
