Shreyas Iyer has guided Punjab Kings to the IPL playoffs after 11 long years, securing a place in Qualifier 1 and possibly finishing first in the league stage.
In their final league match on Monday, Punjab defeated Mumbai Indians by 7 wickets, moving to the top of the points table. If Bengaluru fails to win with a better net run rate on Tuesday, Punjab will officially end as league leaders.
Iyer’s smart leadership proves Punjab’s investment worth it
Before this season, Punjab Kings bought Shreyas Iyer for ₹26.75 crore after he was released by Kolkata Knight Riders. That decision is paying off, as Iyer has impressed both with his captaincy and consistent batting.
He has also set a unique IPL record, becoming the first-ever captain to take three different teams to a top-two league finish.
The historic IPL journey of Shreyas Iyer
- In 2020, Iyer captained Delhi Capitals to second place and took them to the final.
- In 2024, he led Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title.
- Now in 2025, he has taken Punjab Kings to the playoffs and a top-two finish.
Meanwhile, Kolkata failed to qualify this season despite winning the title under Iyer last year.
Iyer and Ponting reunite for Punjab’s success
A major reason behind Punjab’s turnaround is the reunion of Shreyas Iyer with coach Ricky Ponting, who earlier coached him at Delhi Capitals. Their successful combination is working again, making Punjab Kings serious title contenders this season.
