Shreyas Iyer 'Captains the Way He Wants', Says Lockie Ferguson Ahead of New Zealand Tour

MUMBAI — Shreyas Iyer's appointment as India's T20I captain following the team's World Cup triumph earlier this year raised eyebrows in some quarters, but one man who has seen him up close has no doubts. New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson, Iyer's teammate at Punjab Kings, has offered a glowing assessment of the Indian skipper's leadership ahead of India's upcoming all-format tour of New Zealand.

A Captain Who Stays Calm

India will soon travel to New Zealand for a one-and-a-half-month all-format tour, opening with a five-match T20I series in Christchurch on October 22. Waiting at the other end will be Ferguson, who has only warm words for the man leading the tourists.

"The best captains I've played under have been really consistent and don't ride the ups and downs of the game, particularly in T20 cricket where it ebbs and flows so quickly," Ferguson said during an interaction organised by Sony Sports.

"Shreyas is calm, speaks clearly, has a clear plan and gives you feedback, but also allows you to bowl to your plan because he knows that's your strength. Those are the guys you want by your side because, regardless of the outcome, they thank you and give you every opportunity to succeed."

Handling the Weight of Expectation

Ferguson, who has shared a dressing room with Iyer in the IPL, said the Indian captain had handled the immense pressure that comes with leading the national side.

"He's a level-headed character. It can be difficult with the external pressures that come with playing for India, but he seems to have found a clear way to interact with fans while staying humble and consistent with his process," Ferguson said.

"He plays the game the way he wants to and captains the way he wants to. I'm not surprised he's India's captain, and I really enjoyed my time with him at Punjab."

India's New-Look Batting Line-Up

Ferguson is also impressed by the depth of India's batting unit, which has been rebuilt in the post-Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma era. The pair retired from T20 internationals following the 2024 T20 World Cup, opening the door for a new generation.

The New Zealand quick singled out Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma and Iyer for helping India move on from the departures of two modern greats.

"The whole country wants to play for India, and that drives competition for places and pushes the game forward. The IPL has played a major role in that," Ferguson said.

"What I've noticed most in recent years is the lack of fear among players, which probably comes from the intense competition for spots."

Sooryavanshi Tipped for the Big Stage

Ferguson also spoke highly of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the teenage batting sensation who has generated buzz since being included in India's T20I squad.

"He's a high-quality player. We had some games against him in the IPL and, clearly, he's an amazing talent," Ferguson said.

"It's an exciting opportunity for him to travel, experience New Zealand and see how cricket is played here. The conditions are different, so there will be challenges, but it's going to be exciting."

India's tour of New Zealand, spanning all three formats across roughly six weeks, will offer the new-look T20I side — and its captain — an early test of everything Ferguson has praised.