Follow UsThe Punjab Kings’ new captain and winner of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 as captain with the Kolkata Knight Riders, Shreyas Iyer, on March 18 (Tuesday) confirmed that he will be batting at number three in IPL 2025.
The reasoning behind Iyer’s choice is his hunger to be part of India’s T20I set-up ahead of the all-important T20 World Cup 2026 at home.
“We already know that the IPL is an integral part of Indian cricket. And if I wanted to mark myself at some position in T20, it would be number 3. And that’s what I’m focusing on,” Iyer told reporters in a press conference organized by the PBKS.
“I wouldn’t say that we are planning and thinking about what number I will be batting. This time I’m quite clear about that position. And I’m going to be focusing on that number. As long as the coach approves of me,” he added, trying to make sure that he is not rigid about the decision, and it would come with the approval of the management.
Currently, Tilak Varma has occupied the number three position for the Indian team since the T20 World Cup 2024. The Southpaw amassed 443 runs in just 13 innings with two fifties and two centuries to his name at an average of 55.37 and a strike rate of 169.73.
Iyer, on his part, has batted at number three in 19 out of his 51 T20Is for the national team and has only 530 runs to his kitty, with an average of 35 and a strike rate of 133.