'Gill had better credentials than Shreyas Iyer': Sanjay Manjrekar explains why Shubman missed out on T20 captaincy

NEW DELHI: Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes Shubman Gill had stronger cricketing credentials than Shreyas Iyer to become India's next T20I captain, but feels the Gujarat Titans skipper lost out because of the difficulty in fitting him into the playing XI.

The former batter's remarks came shortly after chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced Iyer as India's new T20 captain for the upcoming series against Ireland and England, ending Suryakumar Yadav's tenure just months after he led India to the T20 World Cup title.

While 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 the selectors ideally should have chosen someone with a guaranteed place in the side and felt Gill fitted that bill better.

"Shreyas Iyer is a very interesting choice. He wasn't able to get a place in the T20 squad for the last few months. But now, straightaway, India's T20 captain. When you pick a player or make him the captain or vice-captain, you've got to also make sure that that player fits into the squad and has got a confirmed place in the squad and that is where I think Shubman Gill has missed out because I think Gill has better credentials than Shreyas Iyer to be India's long-term T20 captain," Manjrekar said.

He pointed to the changing nature of India's assignments, with the next T20 World Cup set to be held in Australia and New Zealand.

"T20s will now be played away from India and eventually the World Cup will be in Australia and New Zealand. I believe Gill was better suited to take that responsibility," he added.

Why Shubman Gill missed out

Despite backing Gill, Manjrekar believes the opener's position at the top of the order actually weakened his case.

With established openers already in place and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi emerging as another option, fitting Gill into the side became complicated. That, according to Manjrekar, pushed the selectors towards Iyer, who occupies the middle order and offers greater balance.

"They've gone for a captain who they could fit in the playing XI. Because Gill is an opening batter, he lost out on that opportunity or that appointment, but his time is not too far," Manjrekar said.

Manjrekar praises Shreyas Iyer's comeback

The former India batter also highlighted Iyer's remarkable resurgence over the past two years. After being dropped from the BCCI central contracts list in 2024 amid concerns over his commitment to domestic cricket, Iyer rebuilt his career through strong performances for Mumbai, India and in the IPL.

Manjrekar said the 31-year-old had responded brilliantly to adversity and had the numbers, leadership pedigree and performances to justify the selectors' faith.

"When you look at Shreyas Iyer, he's got the numbers. He's got the leadership and performance," Manjrekar said.

Still, on pure cricketing ability and long-term suitability, Manjrekar's vote remained with Gill, insisting that the young opener's opportunity to lead India in T20 cricket may only have been delayed rather than denied.