Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as the captain of the Mumbai senior men’s team for the remaining league matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025–26 season.
The decision comes after all-rounder Shardul Thakur was ruled out of the domestic 50-over tournament due to an injury, prompting the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to make a leadership change.
In an official statement, the MCA confirmed the development, expressing confidence in Iyer’s leadership abilities and experience at both domestic and international levels.
The association stated that Iyer will lead the side in the remaining two league-stage matches, with his continuation beyond that dependent on fitness clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Mumbai, currently placed second in Group C, is scheduled to face Himachal Pradesh on January 6 and Punjab on January 8, with both matches set to be played in Jaipur.
Iyer is expected to captain the side in both encounters as Mumbai aim to secure qualification for the knockout stage.
The 31-year-old right-hander is making his return to competitive cricket after a gap of over three months.
Iyer last played in October during India’s ODI series against Australia, where he suffered a spleen injury while attempting to catch a ball in the third ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The injury required hospitalisation and surgery, ruling him out of cricketing action for several weeks.
Following his recovery, Iyer underwent an extensive rehabilitation program at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
As part of his return-to-play protocol, he participated in match simulation and practice games at the Centre of Excellence earlier this month and reportedly came through the sessions without discomfort.
Iyer has also been named in India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11 in Baroda. However, his participation in the international series is subject to final fitness clearance from the BCCI medical team.
If he is cleared for international duty, Mumbai may need to appoint a new captain for the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockout matches, which begin on January 12.
The MCA praised Iyer’s calm approach and tactical awareness, stating that his presence brings stability and leadership to the squad.
With Mumbai in a strong position in the group stage, Iyer’s return and captaincy could prove crucial as the team looks to maintain momentum in the tournament.
