A Season of Challenges and Reflections
Shreyas Iyer, the captain of the Punjab Kings, recently shared a heartfelt video on his social media platforms, showcasing a collection of moments from the season. The video came with an emotional caption that reflected on the journey of the team. Iyer, who was signed by the franchise for a significant amount of INR 26.75 crores last year, faced a tough season as the team failed to make it to the playoffs. Despite winning their final league match against Lucknow Super Giants, they were eliminated after Rajasthan Royals defeated Mumbai Indians in their last game.
In the video, Iyer expressed his gratitude for the journey and hinted at a strong comeback next year. His message read, “Every run. Every moment. Every fight. This chapter closes with gratitude and the next one begins with hunger.”
Reaching the Final After a Long Wait
Punjab Kings made a notable achievement in 2025 by reaching the final for the first time in eleven years. They started the season with great momentum, winning all six of the first seven matches. However, their bowling department struggled, with key players like Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen not delivering consistently. Despite this, the batting line-up, led by Iyer, showed promise. The fielding, however, had some lapses, and the form of openers Parabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya declined. Iyer himself also found it challenging to score runs.
His leadership was questioned, particularly for not giving enough opportunities to their lead spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal. Players such as Azmatullah Omarzai and Harpreet Brar were underutilized. It took the team a month to secure a win, but Iyer eventually managed to score his maiden century, leading the side to their eighth win of the season. Unfortunately, by that point, the team had already fallen behind in the standings.
Shreyas Iyer’s Performance in IPL 2026
As a batter, Iyer has been a consistent performer, contributing significantly to the team’s success. In 14 matches, he scored five half-centuries and a century, falling just two runs short of 500. His performance in IPL 2026 was particularly memorable, highlighted by an unbeaten 101 off 51 balls against Lucknow Super Giants. This was his first IPL century across 145 innings.
Iyer’s ability to dominate chases was evident, with an impressive average of 91.3. He also crossed 3,000 captaincy runs and accumulated 1,102 runs across the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter
With the end of the season, Iyer is now setting his sights on an international return. He will be part of the Indian team for the Afghanistan ODI series. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has supported him by appointing him as vice captain again following a spleen injury he sustained during the Australia tour last year.
As the Punjab Kings prepare for the upcoming season, Iyer’s determination and leadership will be crucial. The team will need to address their weaknesses, especially in the bowling department, while building on their strengths in batting and captaincy. With Iyer at the helm, there is hope for a stronger performance in the future.
