Punjab Kings’ momentum under Shreyas Iyer has brought fresh intrigue to one of the IPL’s more unconventional captaincy journeys. Even with some recent setbacks, the franchise—still searching for its inaugural title after 19 seasons—has managed to stay within reach of the upper end of the points table as the tournament edges toward the playoff phase. In that context, Iyer’s role as both strategist and leader has quickly become one of the season’s most discussed storylines.
Pathan ranks Iyer among IPL’s top captains
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has placed Iyer at the very top tier of IPL captains, pointing to the distinct nature of his record across multiple franchises. Speaking on JioStar’s “Out or Not” segment, Pathan highlighted that Iyer’s ability to steer different teams toward title contention sets him apart from the commonly cited captaining benchmarks.
Pathan says Iyer belongs with IPL’s elite captains
“On that list of MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir, I feel Shreyas Iyer has to be right up there among the best Captains,” Pathan said.
Why Iyer’s franchise record stands out
Pathan’s praise is rooted in the specific pattern of Iyer’s IPL captaincy journey. He first guided Delhi Capitals to their maiden final in 2020. After that, he led Kolkata Knight Riders to the title. More recently, he has helped reshape Punjab Kings into a side that looks like a genuine contender. Punjab made it to the final last season and have again remained in the upper bracket this year, with Iyer playing a central part as both a batter and the captain.
Pathan’s argument revolves around adaptability. Dhoni built his captaincy reputation largely with Chennai Super Kings. Rohit Sharma’s trophy moments arrived with Mumbai Indians. Gambhir delivered his two IPL titles as captain with Kolkata Knight Riders. For Pathan, Iyer’s case is different because his leadership impact has been carried across separate settings—varying support systems, shifting team dynamics, and changes in the dressing-room culture.
“It is not easy to take three different franchises to the finals. Each franchise is different, their culture, setup and their mindset is completely different,” Pathan added.
“To adjust to those things and then lead the way forward is not easy. No one has ever done it. MS Dhoni won all five trophies with CSK, and it is not that he has not played for any other franchise,” he said.
Punjab’s changing identity adds weight
The Punjab angle also gives Pathan’s point extra sharpness. PBKS have often been linked with instability, repeated resets, and missed chances over the years. Iyer’s arrival has coincided with a more settled competitive identity, and the captaincy debate has gained momentum alongside Punjab’s improved consistency. Pathan also noted that Iyer’s personal batting form has complemented his leadership, with decisive contributions in high-pressure situations providing both momentum and direction.
Pathan also framed the comparison by highlighting that Rohit and Gambhir built their captaincy reputations through success largely tied to one franchise environment. “Similarly, Rohit Sharma has won all his trophies as Captain with MI, and Gautam Gambhir did it for KKR in those two seasons,” he said.
Another title could reshape Iyer’s legacy
That is why Pathan believes another championship would meaningfully shift Iyer’s position in the IPL captaincy conversation. A Punjab title would end the franchise’s long wait, but it would also cement Iyer as a captain who has lifted the tournament with two different teams—after already taking three separate franchises to the final.
“But here you have Shreyas Iyer, who has taken three franchises to the final and won it with KKR. One more trophy; if he wins it with Punjab, he will surpass everyone,” Pathan said.
For Punjab, the mission remains incomplete. For Iyer, the scope of the opportunity extends beyond a single season. A maiden PBKS title would place him in a rare IPL category—both as a captain who has delivered success and as one whose leadership journey has moved across teams while still producing results.
