Correspondent, 23 October: Indian team captain Shreyas Iyer is nearing a major historical milestone during the ongoing tour of New Zealand. Heading into the second T20 match between India and New Zealand on Saturday, Iyer requires only 25 more runs to break Rohit Sharma's record for the most T20 International runs scored by an Indian captain in a single calendar year.
Rohit Sharma set the current benchmark in 2022 by accumulating 656 runs in 29 matches, a tally that included three half-centuries. Meanwhile, Iyer assumed the captaincy in June 2026, succeeding Suryakumar Yadav, who had previously led India to a T20 World Cup victory. Since taking charge, Iyer has amassed 632 runs across 22 matches, registering one century and two half-centuries. He now stands just 25 runs away from overtaking Sharma.
In the first T20 match held in Christchurch, India secured a four-wicket victory over New Zealand. The team successfully chased down a 226-run target, which marked India's highest successful run chase in T20 cricket. The triumph was fueled by Sanju Samson's explosive 67-run innings, along with crucial contributions from Shreyas Iyer, who scored 42 runs off 28 deliveries, and Naman Dhir, who smashed an unbeaten 42 off 15 balls.
During the middle overs, Iyer stabilized the Indian innings with support from Axar Patel and Naman Dhir. Validating the team management's trust, Iyer and Dhir forged a rapid 43-run partnership off a mere 23 balls for the sixth wicket. For New Zealand, Michael Bracewell and captain Mitchell Santner led the bowling effort, claiming two wickets each.
On a global scale, the world record for the highest number of T20 runs by a captain in a single calendar year belongs to Pakistan's Babar Azam, who scored 939 runs in 29 matches during 2021. Japan's Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming follows in second place with 860 runs in 20 matches in 2024. In the ongoing year, England's Harry Brook with 690 runs in 19 matches and Shai Hope with 601 runs in 17 matches have also delivered impressive performances.
