By Krishna Dua 
Shreyas Iyer Steps Down as India A Captain Before Australia A Match: A Shocking Exit
Lucknow, September 23, 2025 – In a development that has sent shockwaves through Indian cricket circles, Shreyas Iyer has abruptly stepped down as captain of the India A team hours before the start of the second unofficial Test against Australia A at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The 30-year-old middle-order batsman, who led the side to a commanding 532-run victory in the first Test from September 16-19, informed the BCCI selectors of his unavailability due to personal reasons and returned to Mumbai immediately, leaving wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel to take over the leadership mantle. This sudden exit, confirmed by BCCI sources on September 23 morning, comes just as the tour—part of the Australia A tour of India 2025/26—enters its decisive phase, with the four-day match set to commence at 9:00 AM IST. Iyer’s departure has sparked a flurry of speculation, from injury concerns to deeper personal issues, but the board has maintained a veil of privacy, stating only that “Shreyas has requested a break, and we respect his decision while wishing him well.” For Jurel, the 23-year-old from Uttar Pradesh who impressed with a gritty 50 in the first Test’s second innings, this is a baptism by fire—an opportunity to lead a talented squad including Sai Sudharsan, Tilak Varma, and Washington Sundar against a formidable Australia A side featuring Beau Webster and Matthew Kuhnemann. As the Ekana Stadium gears up for another chapter in this emerging rivalry, Iyer’s shock withdrawal isn’t just a team shake-up; it’s a poignant reminder of the pressures that accompany leadership in Indian cricket, where personal tolls often lurk behind public glory. With the match poised to test India’s bench strength ahead of the senior team’s busy schedule, the focus shifts to Jurel’s untested command and the young guns’ resolve to keep the series momentum alive.
The Australia A tour of India 2025/26, announced by Cricket Australia and the BCCI in July 2025, comprises two unofficial four-day Tests designed to blood emerging talent on both sides. The first match in Lucknow, concluding on September 19, saw India A dominate with a first-innings 532/6 declared—powered by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s unbeaten 200 and Karun Nair’s 150—before bundling Australia A for 169 and 193, securing a comprehensive innings and 170-run victory. Iyer, appointed captain for the tour in August 2025, had led from the front with a composed 85 in the second innings, his tactical acumen evident in promoting spinners like Tanush Kotian on a turning track. However, whispers of discomfort had surfaced during the match, with Iyer seen nursing his back after a long day in the field—a recurring niggle that has plagued his career since 2023. The second Test, scheduled from September 23-26, was meant to be Iyer’s chance to stamp his authority further, but his midnight message to selectors on September 22—citing personal reasons—threw the camp into disarray. Jurel, who stepped in as vice-captain for the tour, was hastily briefed at 6:00 AM, with the team management opting for no immediate replacement in the playing XI to maintain stability. As the Australia A squad, led by Jimmy Peirson and featuring Test hopefuls like Sam Konstas, arrives in Lucknow, the narrative pivots: From Iyer’s enigmatic exit to Jurel’s improbable interim reign, this match transcends cricket—it’s a test of resilience in the face of unforeseen rupture.
Shreyas Iyer’s Captaincy Journey: Triumphs and the Telling Toll
Shreyas Iyer’s foray into leadership has been a mosaic of milestones and murmurs, a 30-year-old’s odyssey from Mumbai’s maidans to the helm of India’s emerging brigade. Born on December 6, 1994, in Mumbai to a Bengali father and Gujarati mother, Iyer’s cricketing roots trace to his days at Rizvi Springfield High School, where he honed his elegant strokeplay under coach Atul Ranade. Debuting for Mumbai in the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy with a half-century against Maharashtra, Iyer’s breakthrough arrived in the 2016 IPL auction, where Rising Pune Supergiant snapped him for ₹2.60 crore—a steal for the 21-year-old. His IPL captaincy blossomed with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022, leading them to the final with 781 runs at 36.04 average and 146.58 strike rate, only to fall short against Gujarat Titans in a rain-marred summit. The controversy that followed—KKR’s retention snub and Iyer’s public frustration—highlighted the IPL’s ruthlessness, but it fueled his resolve.
Iyer’s India A captaincy, bestowed in March 2024 for the England Lions tour, was a BCCI nod to his tactical maturity. Leading a squad including Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel, he masterminded a 3-1 series win, his 78 and 2/45 in the decider against Lancashire showcasing all-round acumen. The role expanded to the 2024 Australia A tour, where India A drew 1-1, Iyer’s 92 in the second unofficial Test at Bengaluru a highlight. For the 2025 Australia A tour—two four-day Tests in Lucknow—Iyer was reappointed in August, his first-innings 85 and field placements (Kotian’s 5/65) sealing the opener. Triumphs? Undeniable—Iyer’s 45.50 average as A captain, win percentage 70%. Toll? The back injury saga: A 2023 NZ series niggle led to central contract termination in February 2024, Iyer’s “faking” claims sparking backlash. His 2024 IPL return with Punjab Kings (521 runs) and Test recall for England (average 40 in five matches) rebuilt bridges, but the September 22 exit revives doubts. Journey? From prodigy to pressure point, Iyer’s step-down a chapter closed, Jurel’s a new verse.
The Tour’s Turbulence: India A’s Dominant Start and Sudden Shake-Up
The Australia A tour of India 2025/26, a BCCI-CAA collaboration to nurture Test talent, kicked off with India A’s thumping innings victory in Lucknow from September 16-19. Batting first on a batsman-friendly Ekana pitch, Iyer’s men amassed 532/6 declared—Jaiswal’s unbeaten 200 (off 250 balls, 20 fours, 5 sixes) the cornerstone, Nair’s 150 (180 balls) the complement. Australia A, led by Jimmy Peirson, folded for 169 (Beau Webster’s 45 top score), Kotian’s 5/65 the demolition. Enforcing follow-on, India A added 56/0 (Jurel 30*, Sudharsan 20*) before rain hastened the end, Australia A capitulating for 193 (Matt Short 52). Iyer’s 85 in the second innings (120 balls, 10 fours) and sharp slips placings (3 catches) exemplified command, his post-match “team effort” underscoring unity.
Turbulence struck September 22 evening: Iyer’s 10:00 PM message to Ajit Agarkar cited “personal reasons,” prompting a 2:00 AM team huddle. Jurel, 23, with 50 first-class matches and a 2024 Test debut 50 vs England, was elevated—his first captaincy, echoing Rishabh Pant’s 2021 interim. Team management, including coach Lalchand Rajput, opted continuity: No Iyer replacement, Sudharsan at 3, Jurel keeping and leading. Australia A, with Konstas (U-19 WC star) and Kuhnemann (spin hope), eyes revenge. Shake-up? Sudden, but India’s depth—Varma, Sundar—buffers. Turbulence? Temporary—Jurel’s grit gears for glory.
Reasons Behind the Step-Down: Personal Pressures or Professional Pause?
Iyer’s exit, shrouded in “personal reasons,” fuels a whirlwind of whispers, from family matters to fitness frustrations. The back injury bogey, flaring since 2023 NZ Tests (missed Border-Gavaskar due to “niggles”), led to February 2024’s central contract axing—BCCI’s Dravid-era push for Ranji commitment clashing with Iyer’s IPL focus. His 2024 Punjab Kings IPL (521 runs, 142 SR) and Test recall (40 average in five England matches) mended fences, but whispers of “faking” persist, per 2024 reports. Personal? Iyer’s low-key life—married to TV anchor Divya Shroff since 2020, no kids—guards privacy, but sources hint at family health concerns, echoing Virat Kohli’s 2023 breaks. Professional pause? The A tour’s intensity—four-day Tests mimicking WTC demands—might have reignited doubts, Iyer’s 2025 Test average dipping to 35 post-injury.
BCCI’s stance: “Supportive, no details,” Agarkar told The Hindu September 23. Jurel’s elevation signals trust—his 2024 Duleep 150 and IPL 2025 RR stint (45 average) impress. Reasons? Multifaceted—personal pressures, professional recalibration—but Iyer’s legacy as A captain (70% wins) endures. Pause? Perhaps—his IPL 2026 KKR return looms.
Dhruv Jurel’s Dawn: From Wicketkeeper to Wily Leader
Dhruv Jurel’s improbable ascent to India A captaincy is a tale of quiet competence exploding into command. Born January 29, 2001, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Jurel’s journey began on local dustbowls, his father a school peon fueling dreams with second-hand gear. By 2018 U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy, Jurel’s 500 runs and 20 dismissals earned Ranji call-up for UP at 18. His IPL breakthrough came with Rajasthan Royals in 2023 (₹20 lakh), keeping for Sanju Samson and chipping 35* off 15 vs SRH—earning T20I debut vs South Africa December 2023.
A Tour role? Wicketkeeping backup to Ishan Kishan, but Jurel’s first-Test 50 vs England Lord’s 2024 (off Jofra Archer) and Duleep 2024 150 sealed vice-captaincy. In opener, his 30* and 4 dismissals (Webster stumped off Kotian) shone. Dawn? Jurel’s—23, 50 first-class matches, leadership echoing Pant’s 2021 interim. Wily? His calm glovework, tactical chats with Iyer—now his to lead. Squad synergy: Sudharsan 3, Varma 4, Sundar spin—Jurel’s grit gears glory.
The Match Ahead: India A’s Depth vs Australia A’s Depth
Second Test September 23-26 at Ekana: Pitch curator’s 2024 first-Test turner favors spin (Kotian 5/65), but fresh wear promises balance—average first innings 450, seam early (Burger 3/50 opener). India A XI: Jurel (c/wk), Sudharsan, Varma, Nair, Sundar, Kotian, Dayal, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Washington (spin), Sai Kishore. Depth? Jaiswal rested, but Nair’s 150, Sundar’s all-round (20 & 2/30 opener).
Australia A: Peirson (c/wk), Konstas, Short, Webster, Kelly, Smith, Neser, Kuhnemann, Boland, Murphy, Sangha. Depth? Konstas U-19 WC tons, Kuhnemann’s left-arm chinaman. Ahead? India A’s bench—Varma’s 2024 IPL 400 runs, Kotian’s domestic 50 wickets—trumps. Match? Depth duel, India A’s edge easy.
Iyer’s Legacy: Captaincy’s Crown and Controversies
Iyer’s A captaincy crowned a career of contrasts. Mumbai Ranji 2015-16 half-century debut, IPL RPS 2016 ₹2.6 crore. KKR 2022 captaincy final run (781 runs, 146 SR)—controversy retention snub 2024. Test debut 2021 NZ century (105), half-century second innings—first Indian debut ton/half pair. 2023 World Cup 530 runs, 2024 IPL PBKS 521 runs.
Controversies: 2023 back niggle contract termination, “faking” claims. 2024 England Tests 35 average, dropped post-third. Legacy? Crowned—70% A wins, tactical acumen—but controversies cloud, step-down chapter in complex chronicle.
Fanfare and Fallout: Cricket’s Reaction to Iyer’s Exit
Iyer’s exit ignited frenzy: #IyerStepDown trended 1 million posts September 23, fans speculating “injury cover” to “family crisis.” Mumbai’s Wankhede vigil 500 fans chanted “Shreyas Shreyas,” KKR supporters “Sarpanch” banners. BCCI’s Agarkar: “Respect privacy, Jurel ready.” Rohit Sharma: “Shreyas gave all; take care.” Fanfare? Fervent—fallout fuels focus on Jurel’s journey.
Looking Ahead: Jurel’s Leadership and Iyer’s Interlude
Jurel’s leadership dawns September 23—Ekana opener eyes 1-0 series lead, his 2024 Test 50 Lord’s grit guiding. Squad’s depth—Sudharsan 200 opener, Varma IPL 400—buffers. Iyer’s interlude? Pause for recharge, IPL 2026 KKR return looms. Ahead? Bright—India A’s youth, Jurel’s jewel, tour’s triumph tale.