IPL: Shreyas Iyer Finds His Calling With Punjab Kings

For Shreyas Iyer, the IPL 2025 season was more than just numbers - though the numbers themselves were staggering: 604 runs at an average of 50.3 and a strike rate of 175. Leading Punjab Kings to the final, Iyer showed that the franchise's record ₹26.75 crore investment was worth every rupee.

His arrival in Punjab followed an awkward exit from Kolkata Knight Riders, a team he had captained to their third IPL crown. Reports hinted at disagreements over retention price and influence within the setup. At Punjab, however, Iyer felt the respect he craved. "I offer a lot as a captain and player. If I get respect, anything can be accomplished," he told GQ India.

That respect translated into freedom. Iyer was involved in every strategic discussion alongside head coach Ricky Ponting, his old ally from Delhi Capitals days. The combination worked wonders, as Punjab - long labeled perennial underachievers - suddenly looked like serious contenders.

They fell heartbreakingly short in the final, losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by just six runs, but the message was clear: Iyer has arrived to build something lasting in Mohali.

His journey wasn't smooth - a back surgery in 2023 kept him sidelined for a year, while KKR reinvented themselves with Gambhir's mentorship and clinched the title in his absence. But at 30, Iyer has a fresh canvas with Punjab Kings. The season may not have ended with silverware, but it may well be the beginning of a new legacy.