September 23, 2025 Chennai — In a surprising development, Shreyas Iyer has relinquished his captaincy of the India A team just hours before the start of the second unofficial Test match against Australia A. The match, part of the ongoing series aimed at grooming future national team prospects, was scheduled to begin today at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Sources within the team management confirmed that Iyer cited personal reasons for stepping down, though no official statement has been released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as of this writing. The sudden move has sparked speculation about Iyer’s fitness and form, especially in light of his recent performances and ongoing recovery from a back injury earlier this year.
India A’s vice-captain, Abhimanyu Easwaran, is expected to lead the side in Iyer’s absence. Easwaran, who has been consistent in domestic cricket and previous A tours, will now shoulder the leadership responsibilities in a high-stakes fixture against a strong Australian contingent.
The series is being closely watched by selectors ahead of India’s upcoming international assignments, and Iyer’s withdrawal from captaincy could influence future squad decisions. Team insiders suggest that the decision was mutual and taken in consultation with the coaching staff to ensure optimal team balance and leadership continuity.
Australia A, led by Matt Renshaw, has already shown competitive form in the first Test, and the second match is expected to be a crucial decider in the series.
Further updates are awaited from BCCI regarding Iyer’s status and availability for the remainder of the tour.
