Indian cricket entered a new era after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointed Shreyas Iyer as the captain of the men’s T20I India team. The announcement came as part of India’s squad reveal for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England, with Iyer replacing Suryakumar Yadav at the helm.
The appointment marked another major milestone in Iyer’s cricketing journey, which has been defined by resilience, leadership success, and remarkable comebacks from adversity. While fans and former cricketers flooded social media with congratulatory messages, one of the most touching reactions came from his sister, Shresta Iyer, who reflected on the challenges her brother overcame to achieve the honour.
Shresta Iyer shares heartfelt message for brother Shreyas
Soon after the captaincy announcement, Shresta took to Instagram and shared an emotional post celebrating her brother’s achievement. The message offered a glimpse into the sacrifices and struggles behind Iyer’s rise to the top. Shresta spoke about watching her brother grow from a young boy passionate about cricket into the captain of the Indian national team.
She emphasized that while the public sees the success today, very few people truly understand the hardships he endured along the way. In her post, she highlighted how Iyer dealt with setbacks, disappointments, and difficult moments away from the spotlight, often keeping his struggles to himself while continuing to push forward.
“People see the success today, but very few know what it took to get here. Very few know the sacrifices, the struggles, the disappointments, and the battles you fought quietly within yourself,” she wrote.
Tribute to Iyer’s resilience through injuries and setbacks
A significant part of Shresta’s message focused on the injuries that threatened to derail Iyer’s career. The Mumbai batter has battled multiple major injuries over the years, forcing him to spend lengthy periods away from competitive cricket. According to Shresta, despite dealing with physical and mental challenges, Iyer consistently maintained a positive outlook and reassured his family whenever they worried about his recovery.
“Even after three major injuries, when we worried, when we wanted to cry, you would simply smile and say, ‘Yaar, main theek hoon. Main ekdum mast hoon. Main fit hoon,’” she recalled.
She praised her brother for carrying his pain with grace while never losing sight of his dreams, describing his journey as a source of inspiration for the entire family.
A new chapter begins for India’s T20I captain
Iyer’s appointment as T20I captain comes after several successful leadership stints in franchise cricket. He guided Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to an IPL title and also led both Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) to IPL finals, establishing himself as one of the most respected captains in the game.
The 31-year-old had already been serving as India’s ODI vice-captain, but taking charge of the T20I side represents the biggest leadership responsibility of his international career so far. Concluding her emotional tribute, Shresta expressed immense pride in her brother’s achievements and insisted that this milestone was only the beginning of an even bigger journey.
“You did it, Shreyas. And somehow, I know this is only the beginning. The best is yet to come,” she wrote.
Iyer is set to begin his tenure as India’s T20I captain when the Men in Blue take on Ireland in the opening match of the two-game series in Belfast on June 26.
