Follow UsEyebrows were raised when Shreyas Iyer was purchased by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for INR 23.75 cr at the IPL 2025 mega auction, but 49 games into the season, the 30-year-old stands tall as arguably the signing of the season.
With 70% of the group stages done, Punjab, who haven’t qualified for the playoffs in a decade, sit at second spot on the points table and are in pole position to progress and shatter the decade-long drought. And this charge has been led by none other than skipper Iyer, who has smashed 360 runs at an average of 51 and a strike rate of 181.
The runs and the average are not a surprise when it comes to Iyer, but this season, the right-hander has shown never-seen-before intent, hammering 25 sixes. It’s already his highest ever tally in any season, and it was this very intent that helped Punjab chase down 191 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk on April 30 (Wednesday).
PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting spoke about how Iyer has truly taken his game to a whole new level.
“Look, Shreyas started this tournament in form that I’ve never seen him in before. You know, his first three or four games for us were outstanding. And then today—that’s one of the reasons I was so keen to get him here as our captain,” Ponting said.
“I actually think he’s taken his game to a new level. He’s a more mature player now. I think he understands the game and game situations probably better than ever before. And I think that was showcased there tonight, to be able to play the way they did.
“He’ll be disappointed with himself that he didn’t hit the winning runs, that he didn’t get his team across the line—because I know how much he prides himself on being the man that’s there at the end to win games.
“But look, I love working with him. He talks with all the players, and all the players love working with him. The way he communicates with them—whether it’s during the game, at practice, or back at the team hotel—is just outstanding.”
Punjab have six wins from 10 games this season, and it would likely have been seven had rain not played spoilsport against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens a few days back. The fact that a team that’s historically struggled is dominating the tournament is a testament to Iyer, the captain.
Ponting spoke about how Iyer, the skipper, is more polished than ever now.
“He’s a lot more confident in himself now than he was — and that comes with experience,” Ponting said.
“I mean, he won the IPL last year as a captain. So when you’ve done that, and you’ve got that experience behind you, and you believe and trust in your own instincts—I think that’s the biggest thing with captaincy.
“His ability to stay calm on the field—even though he mightn’t have been that calm tonight when we were a couple of overs late getting through the overs—just shows his maturity, I think, and that experience.
“He knows he’s got a good group around him as well. He knows he’s got a lot of senior players around him that he can talk to if he needs to.
“But I think anytime he makes a decision now, he sticks with it and trusts it — and that’s a great thing for a captain.”
If Punjab do make it to the playoffs, Iyer will be the first PBKS captain since George Bailey in 2014 to lead the Kings to the knockouts.
The 2014 finalists next take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Dharamshala on May 4 (Sunday).