Captaincy brings in a lot of maturity and responsibility: Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer is flourishing in the captain’s role, proving his mettle once again. After steering Punjab Kings to their first IPL final in over a decade, he’s now taken the Sobo Mumbai Falcons into the semifinals of the T20 Mumbai League, which runs under the Mumbai Cricket Association. “Captaincy brings a lot of maturity and accountability,” Iyer remarked, amid growing admiration for his leadership since the start of the IPL. There’s growing chatter that he could soon don the mantle of India’s white-ball captain, with a potential call-up for the upcoming England Test series also in the air. "Anyone can be brought in if they're performing," Gautam Gambhir noted when asked about Iyer’s chances. "We were limited to picking 18, and the chairman has addressed that. For me, it’s about staying flexible and backing players in form.” Iyer’s tally of over 600 runs in the IPL speaks volumes. Right after playing the final in Ahmedabad on June 3, he flew to Mumbai to captain SoBo, who have now won four out of five matches, sealing their spot in the semifinals. “As a captain, you're always under the spotlight. When adversity strikes, everyone turns to the leader. But I’ve captained teams since I was 22, and I’ve grown to enjoy and embrace that challenge. I relish leading from the front,” Iyer shared. When discussing pressure, he explained his mental approach: “I just stay in the moment. I lock into the situation, focus hard, feed off the crowd's energy. I keep reminding myself—I want them to chant my name. That drives me.” Iyer is one of the marquee names lighting up the domestic T20 scene, sharing the spotlight with players like Suryakumar Yadav, Prithvi Shaw, and Shivam Dube. He also praised the role of the T20 Mumbai League in nurturing local talent: “The MCA has done a tremendous job. This league gives a voice and stage to those grinding it out in grassroots cricket. It’s more than just a stepping stone—it’s a chance to shine.” The league’s semifinals and final are slated for Tuesday and Thursday at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.