New Delhi: Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar believes Shubman Gill has stronger cricketing credentials than Shreyas Iyer to become India’s next T20I captain, but feels Gujarat lost out because of the Titans skipper’s difficulty in fitting him into the playing XI.The former batsman’s comments came shortly after chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced Iyer as India’s new T20 captain for the upcoming series against Ireland and England, months after Suryakumar Yadav’s tenure ended when he led India to the T20 World Cup title.Acknowledging Iyer’s leadership qualities and impressive body of work, Manjrekar said he would have preferred Gill as India’s long-term option.
‘Gill had better credentials’
Speaking on Sony Sports Network, Manjrekar said that the selectors should ideally have picked someone with an assured place on the side and felt that Gill could fit the bill better.“Shreyas Iyer is a very interesting choice. He has not been able to get a place in the T20 squad for the last few months. But now, directly, India’s T20 captain. When you pick a player or make him captain or vice-captain, you also have to make sure that the player is fit and I have been given a place in the squad and I have been given a place in the squad,” Manjrekar said. Paas has better credentials than Shreyas Iyer to become India’s long-term T20 captain.He pointed to the changing nature of India’s assignments, with the next T20 World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand.“The T20s will now be played away from India and eventually the World Cup will be in Australia and New Zealand. I believe Gayle was more suited to take on the responsibility,” he added.
Why did Shubman Gill miss out?
Despite Gill’s support, Manjrikar believes the opener’s position at the top of the order actually weakened his case.With already established openers and teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi emerging as another option, fitting Gill into the team became complicated. According to Manjrikar, this pushed the selectors towards Iyer, who occupies the middle order and offers more balance.“They are looking for a captain who they can fit into the playing XI. Because Gill is an opening batsman, he missed that opportunity or that meeting, but his time is not far off,” Manjrekar said.
Manjrikar praised Shreyas Iyer’s comeback.
The former India batsman also highlighted Iyer’s remarkable recovery in the last two years. After discharge from BCCI List of Central Contracts Amid concerns over his commitment to domestic cricket in 2024, Iyer rebuilt his career with strong performances in Mumbai, India and the IPL.Manjrikar said the 31-year-old responded brilliantly to adversity and got the numbers, leadership generation and performances to justify the selectors’ faith.“When you look at Shreyas Iyer, he has the numbers. He has the leadership and the performance,” Manjrekar said.Still, on pure cricketing merit and long-term suitability, Manjrekar’s vote was with Gill, insisting that the young opener’s chance to lead India in T20 cricket may have been delayed rather than denied.
