Shreyas Iyer’s First Week as India Captain Sparks Controversy
Just a week into his role as captain of the Indian cricket team, Shreyas Iyer seems to be facing some pressure already. Social media is buzzing with opinions as the team prepares for a five-match T20I series against England.
Recently, India faced a disappointing defeat against Ireland in a two-match T20I series, where they struggled to perform. Fans were particularly upset about the team’s decision not to include the rising star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was called up to the national squad following a brilliant Indian Premier League season.
A Tense Moment with a Journalist
As the team geared up for their first match against England in Durham, Iyer encountered a tough question from journalist Vimal Kumar. Kumar asked whether the chatter on social media about Sooryavanshi was distracting the team. Iyer’s response was straight to the point.
“I haven’t seen any of that. I’m not active on social media and don’t follow the news,” he said.
The captain also chose not to discuss Sooryavanshi’s potential debut. “You never know what might happen. This is something we keep private as a team,” he added. “We can’t share our strategy with opponents.”
Some social media users reacted strongly to Iyer’s bluntness. While many criticized his tone, others admired his firm handling of the situation. One cricket fan, known as ‘Rajiv1841’, criticized Vimal Kumar’s question and praised Iyer for his response. This led to a heated discussion online, with Vimal Kumar facing some backlash, and the clip of his question gaining traction.
Even former cricketer Sreevats Goswami came to Iyer’s defense, stating that social media often misses the point about team dynamics. He acknowledged that while the media has the right to ask questions, fans should also recognize the pressures players face.
Vimal Kumar Addresses the Issue
After the incident became a hot topic online, Vimal Kumar took to his YouTube channel to clear the air. He defended Iyer’s response, saying there was no issue with it and urged people to stop exaggerating the matter.
As the Indian team prepares to face England, all eyes will be on whether they will give a chance to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. If not, the ongoing debate about the value of keeping such a talent on the bench will likely resurface as the team looks to find the right combinations for their future matches.
Published By: Kingshuk Kusari | Published On: Jul 1, 2026
