Shreyas Iyer should focus on performance first: Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan weighs in on Shreyas Iyer’s T20I captaincy links as Tilak Varma shines for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026.

The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) has reached a fever pitch, not just for the high-octane cricket on the field, but for the selection debates brewing off it. As Punjab Kings (PBKS) maintain their clinical unbeaten run at the top of the table, captain Shreyas Iyer has emerged as a central figure in discussions regarding India’s future T20I leadership. However, former India pacer Zaheer Khan has cautioned the batter to streamline his priorities before eyeing the national captaincy.

Iyer’s captaincy under the scanner

Under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, Punjab Kings have displayed a level of consistency rarely seen in the franchise’s history. With a string of consecutive victories, PBKS currently looks like the team to beat this season. Iyer’s ability to rotate bowlers and maintain a calm dressing room atmosphere has reportedly caught the attention of the BCCI, especially as the board looks to transition the national T20I squad.

Despite the heavy rumors linking him to the India T20I captaincy, Zaheer Khan believes the path back to the national side must be paved with runs first. Speaking to the media, the veteran pacer emphasized that a spot in the playing XI is the primary hurdle for Iyer, who was notably absent from the recent T20 World Cup squad.

Zaheer’s advice for the PBKS skipper

"First, being part of the T20 setup will be on his mind. Captaincy, I am not sure if he is thinking about that right now," Zaheer Khan told Cricbuzz. He acknowledged that while Iyer has the "captaincy mindset" from years of leading various franchises, including a title-winning stint with KKR, the immediate focus must remain on individual impact.

Zaheer further noted that the Indian T20 setup is highly competitive. For Iyer to secure a spot, especially with the recent dip in form of other senior batters like Suryakumar Yadav, he needs to make his bat do the talking. "Once you are in the squad, then the rest of the things are up to how the team management is looking at things," he added, suggesting that leadership roles are a secondary consideration to consistent scoring.

Tilak Varma’s maiden IPL century

While the debate over Iyer’s future continues, Mumbai Indians (MI) found a hero in Tilak Varma during their recent clash against Gujarat Titans (GT). Varma smashed a scintillating 45-ball century, remaining unbeaten and guiding Mumbai to a massive 99-run victory. This win marks MI’s fourth-largest margin of victory in tournament history, signaling a strong resurgence for the five-time champions.

Varma’s knock was a masterclass in power-hitting and composure. The young southpaw took the GT bowling attack to the cleaners, ensuring that Mumbai capitalized on every scoring opportunity. The victory has propelled MI up the standings, keeping their playoff hopes alive in what is increasingly looking like a "knockout" phase for the team.

The Hardik Pandya influence

Following his match-winning performance, Tilak Varma opened up about an animated conversation with captain Hardik Pandya during a time-out. Varma credited Pandya’s high-energy approach for keeping him "charged up" during the crucial middle overs. According to the batter, Pandya’s constant encouragement—"You can do it, you will do it"—was pivotal in maintaining his momentum.

"As everyone knows, Hardik bhai is very energetic," Varma said during a post-match interaction. He revealed that he had to ask his captain to "calm down" so he could stay focused on the task at hand. Varma highlighted the importance of spending time at the crease, noting that his primary goal was to adapt to the match situation after not facing many balls in previous outings.

Internal team dynamics and outlook

The camaraderie within the Mumbai Indians camp seems to be peaking at the right time. Varma mentioned that having multiple World Cup winners and experienced players in the side gives them the confidence to be "unstoppable" when they execute their plans correctly. However, he maintained a grounded approach, stating that the team is taking it "one match at a time."

For Punjab Kings and Shreyas Iyer, the focus remains on maintaining their pole position. As the race for the playoffs intensifies, Iyer’s personal form will be scrutinized as much as his tactical decisions. With the national selectors watching closely, the remainder of IPL 2026 could define the next chapter of his international career.

Future prospects for Team India

As the IPL 2026 season progresses, the performances of Iyer and Varma will likely influence the upcoming India News Update regarding the T20I squad selection. Whether Iyer can turn his franchise success into a national comeback, or if Varma’s clinical hitting earns him a permanent slot, remains the biggest Public Interest Story in Indian cricket today.