Why Shreyas Iyer Should Be Back in India's T20 Squad Sanjay Manjrekar Weighs In

Shreyas Iyer. [Source - AFP]

Honestly, whenever I turn on the TV during IPL season, the first name that pops up in my mind is Shreyas Iyer. The guy has been the talk of the town in the ongoing IPL 2026, not just because he captains Punjab Kings, but also because his bat keeps singing the same old song solid runs, calm leadership, and that uncanny ability to lift a team’s spirit. Fans and experts keep debating whether he deserves a return to India’s T20I setup after this sustained performance streak. It’s one of those trending news India stories that you can’t escape, whether you’re scrolling through a news app or chatting over chai with your neighbour.

What makes it even more interesting is that despite delivering consistently and leading Punjab Kings to a long-awaited IPL final last season, Iyer has found himself overlooked for India’s T20 plans. His absence from the recently concluded T20 World Cup has only intensified conversations around selection fairness. And you know, when a team that just lifted the T20 World Cup leaves out a player who’s been in such rich form that’s the sort of breaking news that spreads fast, turning into viral news within hours.

The situation has now drawn backing from former India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, who believes Iyer has been hard‑done‑by. With growing support from fans and experts alike, the debate around his T20I snub continues to gain momentum, becoming a regular feature in the latest news India feeds.

Shreyas Iyer vs BCCI The Backstory

The episode between Shreyas Iyer and the BCCI dates back to 2024, when he was dropped from the central contracts list for not complying with domestic cricket directives. That phase marked a turning point, putting his international future under serious uncertainty. I still remember the buzz on cricket forums back then everyone was wondering if it was a simple administrative hiccup or a deeper rift.

Since then, Iyer responded strongly on the field, leading Kolkata Knight Riders to IPL 2024 glory before returning to domestic cricket and guiding Mumbai to titles. His leadership and consistency have rebuilt his case for a national comeback. When I watched those matches, it felt like he was speaking directly to the critics each run, each catch was a silent rebuttal.

He carried that momentum into IPL 2025 with Punjab Kings, scoring 604 runs at an impressive strike‑rate while leading them to a long‑awaited final. Yet, while he continued to play ODIs for India, selectors and team management overlooked him again, denying any T20I opportunity. What baffled many of us was the sheer contrast a player performing at that level in the most competitive league, yet not getting a call‑up for the shortest format. This paradox turned into one of those trending news India topics that keep popping up on every sports section.

Manjrekar’s Backing A Voice From the Past

There is a visible sense of determination to prove himself in Shreyas Iyer every time he steps onto the field. His approach as both leader and batter reflects a point to prove, consistently reinforcing his value across formats and teams.

Even though India lifted the T20 World Cup 2026, Iyer’s unstoppable form has sparked fresh debate, with fans and experts questioning his continued absence. Among them, Sanjay Manjrekar backed him on a podcast with Sportstar, calling Iyer’s omission from the Indian T20I side unfair.

"It was just unfair for Shreyas Iyer that his recent performances did not get him in the Indian T20I team, because those are the difficult positions. If he has that angst for somebody for giving that kind of a deal, I think it's valid," Manjrekar said on Sportstar's Insight Edge podcast. Listening to that, I could feel the frustration echoing the sentiments of many cricket lovers across the country. It was the kind of comment that quickly turned into viral news, being shared across Twitter threads, WhatsApp groups, and even the comment sections of news portals.

What caught people's attention most was Manjrekar’s straightforwardness no sugar‑coating, just a clear statement that Iyer’s brilliance deserved recognition. That simple, honest take made the conversation shift from being a quiet grievance to a full‑blown breaking news story about selection policies, especially when the BCCI’s decisions are under the microscope after a World Cup win.

Why I Believe Iyer’s T20I Return Is Just a Matter of Time

After last season’s heroics with Punjab Kings, Iyer continues to lead from the front this year, already notching three half‑centuries. His side sits atop the table with five wins in six games, remaining the only unbeaten team in IPL 2026. Watching those matches, I could feel the excitement build up; each boundary felt like a reminder that he’s still in peak form.

Fans and experts continue to pile pressure on the BCCI and Indian selectors, especially after his earlier contract snub felt harsh as Iyer continues to respond on the field with his temperament, self‑belief, and ability to silence critics consistently. I often find myself joining endless debates on cricket forums, where the consensus is clear if the BCCI wants a winning T20 side, they need Iyer’s experience and calm under pressure.

What’s fascinating is how the narrative has become part of India's daily updates. Every time a match ends, someone quotes a line from Manjrekar’s podcast, or a fan shares a clip of Iyer’s latest half‑century with the caption “When will he get his chance?” It’s the sort of story that becomes viral news, not just because of the player’s talent, but because it reflects a larger conversation about fairness in Indian cricket.

In most cases, selectors say they look for ‘form’ and ‘fit’, but when the data shows Iyer scoring heavily, keeping the strike‑rate high, and leading a team to the top of the IPL table, it’s hard to argue otherwise. Many of us feel that his exclusion is less about performance and more about lingering administrative issues from that 2024 contract episode.

All this adds up to a growing belief that his T20I return is not a question of ‘if’ but ‘when’. The pressure from fans, the backing from seasoned voices like Sanjay Manjrekar, and the undeniable statistics that Iyer consistently puts up they all point toward an inevitable comeback. As someone who watches every IPL match with a hopeful heart, I can tell you that the excitement in the locker rooms, the whispers among teammates, and the buzz in the media all suggest that the BCCI may soon have to rethink its stance.

What This Means for the Future of Indian Cricket

Looking ahead, if Shreyas Iyer finally gets his T20I call‑up, it could send a strong message to other domestic stalwarts that consistent performance does count, even after administrative hiccups. It would also reinforce the idea that the BCCI is responsive to both expert opinions and fan sentiment a crucial factor in keeping the sport connected to its massive Indian audience.

For many of us, the whole saga has become more than just a selection issue; it’s a piece of the larger tapestry of Indian cricket’s evolving narrative. From the streets of Delhi where kids imitate his shots, to the boardrooms where decisions are made, Iyer’s story threads through every level. And as the IPL continues to dominate the trending news India space, his journey will likely remain a focal point for months to come.

So, whether you’re a die‑hard cricket fan, a casual viewer, or someone who just loves a good underdog story, keep an eye on this one. The next big update could be just a tweet away, and the moment Iyer steps onto a T20I field for India, it’ll feel like a celebration that belongs to all of us who have been cheering for him all along.