Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has lauded Shreyas Iyer’s leadership after the seasoned batsman guided Punjab Kings to the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. While the result in the final didn’t go Punjab’s way, Iyer’s charismatic leadership was on full display, earning massive praise. Moreover, Iyer’s performance with the bat was also equally instrumental in Punjab’s rise to the final.
Last year, he led Kolkata Knight Riders to the title victory, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final. Amid Iyer’s dynamic leadership, there have been growing calls stating why Iyer hasn’t been considered for the Indian team’s captaincy. However, Sunil Gavaskar feels that the focus should be on Shubman Gill, who has just recently been named India’s Test captain following the retirement of Rohit Sharma from the longest format.
“Regardless of whether is worthy of being the captain or not, we first need to look at Shubman Gill, who is the Test captain. We need to give him opportunities. If we talk about such things, then we are creating undue pressure on Shubman Gill,” Gavaskar said on Sports Tak.
“There is no need to create pressure on Shubman Gill before the England tour. You first need to realise that Shreyas Iyer is not even in the Indian team. There should be no talk about him being made the next Indian captain,” he added.
Notably, Iyer was left out of India’s squad for the five-match Test series against England beginning June 20. He last appeared for India in a Test in 2024.
Gavaskar further said that Gill should be given a chance to prove himself.
“When he makes a return to the side then you can have a look at whether he can be made the captain or not. We need to show tremendous confidence in Shubman Gill, who has just been made the Test captain. He is our India captain. You shouldn’t create doubts in his mind, there should be no pressure on him. You shouldn’t create pressure, saying, ‘Oh look, there is Shreyas Iyer’,” said Gavaskar.