Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer’s sister, Shresta Iyer, turned the spotlight on a rain-affected IPL 2026 washout with a playful social-media post that quickly drew attention for all the right reasons. The abandoned match between PBKS and Kolkata Knight Riders meant the teams shared points, giving KKR their first point of the season.
Shresta’s posts after the PBKS vs KKR washout
- After the Monday encounter between Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders was washed out, Shresta posted a video on her Instagram account.
- With the game ending in a no-result, KKR were awarded one point—marking their first of IPL 2026—while both sides settled for sharing the spoils.
- Following the outcome, Shresta—who works as a professional dancer and choreographer—appeared in the video wearing a PBKS jersey and delivered a witty line in Punjabi about Punjabis being big-hearted and “giving” KKR a point.
- On Tuesday, she followed up with another video, claiming she had started receiving hate after the earlier post.
- In that second message, she clarified that she was not trolling anyone and said the videos were meant purely for fun, adding that she is simply supporting her brother.
- She also appealed for calm, emphasising that it’s only a game, there should be no hate toward any franchise, and the rivalry can remain in spirit without personal attacks.
- Shresta concluded by reiterating that her earlier post was a celebration and that the focus should stay on love rather than negativity.
Aakash Chopra backs PBKS as a “team to beat”
While the family chatter continued online, former India opener Aakash Chopra added weight to Punjab Kings’ credentials by describing them as one of the most dangerous sides in the ongoing IPL 2026 campaign. Chopra pointed to PBKS’ batting strength—built largely around young Indian players—and suggested the squad is being handled effectively under the leadership of captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting.
Chopra also referenced PBKS’ recent history, noting that the franchise ended the last season as runners-up after losing the final to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the reigning champions at the time. In IPL 2026, he highlighted how Punjab Kings had begun with two wins from their first two matches before drawing level on points with Kolkata Knight Riders after another rain-related no-result.
Speaking on JioHotstar, Chopra stressed that PBKS stand out for how their batting unit functions together. He said the team leans heavily on young Indian batters who have relatively limited international experience, with overseas players providing support, yet the combination has produced results—making Punjab Kings a side that opponents will have to plan for carefully.
