News Desk : Having earned the trust of the selectors with his leadership credentials, Shreyas Iyer is set to usher in a new era as India's T20I captain. Ahead of his first assignment against Ireland, the Mumbai batter shared his vision for the team, emphasising unity, support and a winning mindset. Ahead of the tour, head coach Gautam Gambhir congratulated Iyer on the leadership role and backed him to excel both on and off the field.

Iyer's appointment comes after a string of impressive leadership performances in the IPL and signals the selectors' confidence in his ability to guide India in the shortest format. Having missed out on the previous T20 World Cup squads, the captaincy also offers the middle-order batter a chance to cement his place in the T20I setup. Gambhir praised Iyer in the team huddle ahead of the match and highlighted the significance of leading the national side. "I want to congratulate Shreyas on being appointed India's captain. It's a huge honour to lead your country, and I'm sure you'll do a fantastic job, not just on the field, but off it as well.

Speaking for the first time as T20I captain, Iyer stressed the importance of building a strong team culture rooted in unity, trust and mutual support. He urged his teammates to stand by one another through challenges while maintaining a positive atmosphere in the dressing room. The newly appointed skipper also encouraged the players to adopt a fearless approach and play with confidence. Calling the team a family, Iyer urged everyone to celebrate each other's success and strive for excellence together.

With the Ireland series set to kick off his captaincy stint, Iyer has made his intentions clear—creating a united, fearless and supportive team environment as India begin a new era in T20 cricket under his leadership.