India Test captain Rohit Sharma has expressed confidence in Shreyas Iyer's ability to lead the national T20 side, saying the Mumbai batter has earned the opportunity through his performances and leadership in recent years.
Speaking on Saturday as the brand ambassador of the T20 Mumbai League, Rohit praised Shreyas' captaincy record in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Shreyas recently took over as India's T20I captain as the team began a new leadership cycle with major tournaments ahead, including the Asia Cup, the 2028 Olympics, and the T20 World Cup.
Rohit said Shreyas' experience as an IPL captain would help him handle the demands of international leadership.
"I'm sure looking at how he has captained in the last few years for his franchise, he's going to have a good time," Rohit said.
Shreyas has built a strong captaincy record in franchise cricket. He guided Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024 and led Punjab Kings to the final in 2025. Those achievements, Rohit believes, have given him valuable experience before taking charge of the Indian T20 side.
The former T20 World Cup-winning captain also spoke about the challenges of rising through Mumbai cricket. According to Rohit, players from the city learn early that success must be earned through hard work and consistent performances.
"Nothing comes easy here," Rohit said while reflecting on Mumbai's competitive cricket culture.
He added that captaincy is not simply a position but something players earn through their performances and the respect of teammates.
Rohit also praised Suryakumar Yadav, whose tenure as India captain ended after helping the team secure its third T20 World Cup title earlier this year.
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He highlighted Suryakumar's journey to the national team, noting that the batter made his India debut in his early thirties after years of persistence.
"He never gave up," Rohit said, adding that Suryakumar made the most of his opportunities when they arrived.
Apart from discussing India's leadership transition, Rohit also praised the talent on display in the fourth edition of the T20 Mumbai League. The tournament is being held alongside the inaugural women's edition.
According to Rohit, the level of talent emerging from Mumbai cricket continues to impress him. He said the competition provides an important platform for young players to showcase their skills and push for higher honours.
India's new T20 leadership group will now focus on upcoming international assignments as preparations begin for the next cycle of major global tournaments.